Diagnosis: Checking The Pulse Of Florida Health Care News And Policy

— Crisis pregnancies —

Rep. Kelly Skidmore has again filed legislation to end state funding for crisis pregnancy centers, renewing her push to dismantle Florida’s Pregnancy Support and Wellness Services program.

HB 6001, filed this week, would repeal Section 381.96 of the Florida Statutes and shut down the program currently administered by the Florida Pregnancy Care Network. The Boca Raton Democrat stated that the program allocates $29 million in taxpayer money annually to organizations that do not offer comprehensive, evidence-based reproductive health care.

Skidmore filed a similar measure in the 2025 Session, but that bill (HB 6007) was never heard in Committee.

The filing follows national scrutiny of crisis pregnancy centers. NBC recently reported that the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, which offers legal support to many faith-based centers, instructed affiliates to avoid diagnosing ectopic pregnancies, calling them a significant legal risk. Last year, a Massachusetts lawsuit alleged one such center failed to diagnose an ectopic pregnancy that later ruptured; the case was settled after a favorable ruling for the patient.

“Florida families deserve medical care that is comprehensive, transparent and delivered by licensed professionals,” Skidmore said in a statement. “Taxpayer dollars must not be used to prop up centers that operate like clinics in name only.”

If enacted, HB 6001 would take effect July 1, 2026.

— Privacy, please —

Rep. Kim Kendall has refiled legislation to shield the personal information of Florida’s medical examiners and their families from public disclosure.

HB 21 would create a public records exemption covering home addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth and photographs of current and former medical examiners, as well as their spouses and children. The exemption would expire on Oct. 2, 2028, if lawmakers do not vote to renew it.

The measure defines “medical examiner” for the exemption and includes a legislative finding of public necessity, citing safety concerns for examiners who regularly investigate violent or high-profile deaths.

Kendall, a St. Augustine Republican, filed similar legislation in the 2025 Session. That bill (HB 231) cleared one committee before stalling out. At the time, she said the proposal was meant to provide medical examiners with the same privacy protections already available to law enforcement, prosecutors and other public employees.

“My district’s head medical examiner relayed several stories” of threats tied to case findings, Kendall said last year, pointing to an incident in Fort Myers in which an examiner received a death threat from a homicide victim’s father. “Medical examiners investigate deaths that are sudden, unexpected, violent — and cause high emotions.”

Staff analysis on the 2025 bill, which was advanced by the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee bill unanimously, noted it “may have an indeterminate negative fiscal impact on state and local governments,” with potential costs for staff training and additional redactions.

If passed, HB 21 would take effect immediately upon becoming law. The bill must clear a high bar, however, as Florida’s Sunshine Law requires a two-thirds vote in each chamber to clear the Legislature.

— Jacques’ new gig —

Rep. Berny Jacques has joined the Tampa office of Hall Booth Smith as Of Counsel.

The Seminole Republican, who represents House District 59, will concentrate his legal practice on defending hospitals, physicians and other health care providers in medical malpractice cases.

“We’re excited to welcome Berny to our Tampa team,” said Ryan Rivas, managing partner of the Tampa office. “His trial experience and community leadership will be a great asset as he focuses on defending our state and nationwide clients.”

Jacques previously served as an Assistant State Attorney in Florida’s 6th Judicial Circuit, where he handled more than 50 jury trials and hundreds of bench proceedings. He has also worked in private practice as a civil litigator.

In addition to his legislative service, Jacques is active in civic and professional organizations and has been recognized by Florida Trend and Super Lawyers for his work. He earned his law degree from Stetson University and holds a bachelor’s in history and political studies from Washington Adventist University.

— Dental fight —

Floridians are struggling to access basic dental care, and trendlines suggest the challenge will only intensify if policymakers don’t act, according to data from the Well Florida Health Planning Council and Floridians for Dental Access.

The organizations point to persistent shortages of dentists — particularly in rural counties — as a primary driver of rising costs and declining access. Many residents forgo routine care, allowing otherwise preventable conditions to progress until emergency treatment becomes the only option.

In 2024, more than 146,000 Floridians sought help at emergency departments for dental pain and infection, a 25% increase since 2021 — more than 4,000 required hospitalization. Hospital charges tied to dental issues rose 77% over the same period, pushing the overall tab close to $1 billion. The actual cost is likely far higher since untreated dental problems can spiral into chronic conditions such as diabetes.

Florida’s dentist-to-population ratio stood at 52.4 per 100,000 residents as of August — well below the national average of 59.5 cited by the American Dental Association. The numbers are even starker outside major metros: two-thirds of Florida’s rural counties have 10 or fewer dentists and Glades County has none.

Similar to other scope-of-practice battles in health care, the state’s rapid population growth is expected to strain access further. Without changes, advocates say, either other trained providers will need to help fill the gap or patients will continue to bear the pain.

One proposal is to authorize dental therapists, mid-level professionals who, akin to physician assistants in medicine, can perform basic procedures such as fillings and simple extractions under the supervision of a licensed dentist. Dental therapists complete CODA-accredited programs and must pass the same licensing exam as dentists for the procedures they are authorized to perform.

Floridians for Dental Access, the American Children’s Campaign, along with the Florida Dental Hygienists’ Association and more than 400 other groups, support the change. Legislation cleared the House during the 2025 Session but stalled in the Senate amid opposition from the Florida Dental Association, which stands alone on the other side of the battle.

Advocates counter that dental therapy has been safely implemented for decades in dozens of countries and more than a dozen states.

“The pushback from the FDA ignores the soaring pain and suffering and doesn’t make any sense,” said American Children’s Campaign President Roy Miller. “ … They would be supervised by dentists. And it would be voluntary on whether a dentist would add them to their practice as well. There are many dentists in Florida who support dental therapy, and the FDA certainly doesn’t speak for them.”

With committee weeks starting Oct. 6 and the 2026 Session opening Jan. 13, dental therapy is expected to be back on the agenda — and with it, the broader question of how Florida will address its worsening oral health crisis.

— Granted —

The Florida Health Care Association has received a federal grant to help reduce unnecessary hospitalizations in the state’s nursing centers.

The $224,166 award from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will fund FHCA’s Reducing Rehospitalization Collaborative, a one-year pilot program focused on training nursing center staff to monitor residents better and prevent avoidable hospital readmissions.

The collaborative includes 45 nursing centers with Q3 Healthcare Consulting leading the implementation in west central Florida on FHCA’s behalf. Staff will participate in educational sessions, apply Quality Assurance Performance Improvement principles and receive coaching on data-driven approaches to address root causes of rehospitalizations. The pilot was launched on Sept. 1.

“Unnecessary hospitalizations can lead to negative outcomes for residents and increased health care costs,” FHCA CEO Emmett Reed said. “Our goal with this project is to create a collaborative approach among center staff, residents and their family members to promote person-centered interventions that will have a positive impact on residents’ well-being.”

The grant was awarded to FHCA through its Education and Development Foundation and will be implemented in partnership with the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration. Funds come from the Quality of Long-Term Care Facility Improvement Trust Fund, which supports projects aimed at improving nursing center care.

AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris said the program reflects Florida’s ongoing efforts to improve long-term care quality.

“With one of the largest elderly populations in the country, we recognize the importance of evolving care models,” Harris said. “This pilot program reflects our commitment to proactive, person-centered solutions that enhance the well-being of seniors across our state.”

— ROSTER —

Baptist Health is adding a new executive to the Jacksonville organization.

Sarah C. Sanders was named executive vice president and Chief Consumer Officer effective Monday. She’ll lead digital strategy for the hospital network in North Florida and Southeast Georgia. She will also oversee marketing, communications, advertising, community impact, and other initiatives involving media and community engagement.

“Sarah is an innovative and mission-focused leader with a remarkable ability to get to the heart of a community’s health care needs,” said Michael A. Mayo, President and CEO of Baptist Health. “Her leadership will be invaluable as we continue to build meaningful relationships with our patients, ensuring they feel seen, heard and cared for throughout every step of their health care journey.”

Sanders has more than two decades of experience in marketing and communications in the health care field. She arrives in Jacksonville after serving as vice president and Chief Marketing and Communications Officer for the University of California, San Francisco Health System.

“It’s a privilege to join an institution so deeply rooted in the community and trusted by generations of patients and families,” said Sanders. “I’m looking forward to strengthening these connections so that we can continue to meet patients where they are, providing guidance and care that truly fits their needs.”

— ICYMI —

“Medicaid overhaul shifts tough choices to states” via Maya Goldman of Axios — States working with hospitals, clinics and other providers will have to do more with less as they face about $1 trillion in program cuts and the likelihood of 10 million or more newly uninsured people from new work rules and other changes. While the GOP views Medicaid as a waste-riddled program that’s due for a shake-up, the cuts will force painful trade-offs at the local level as health systems also struggle with inflation, higher labor costs and rising medical costs. “Congress left the dirty work to be done by the governors and state legislators, and that work will start very soon,” said Joan Alker, executive director of Georgetown University’s Center for Children and Families.

“James Uthmeier explains state’s intervention in challenge to FDA’s mifepristone approval” via Mitch Perry of Florida Phoenix — Uthmeier said concerns about “a lot of harms that women and often young girls are experiencing” when they access the abortion pill mifepristone through the mail is among the reasons why the state has asked to intervene in a federal lawsuit seeking to restrict availability of that abortion medication. Along with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Uthmeier filed a petition in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas last month requesting to intervene in a case challenging the FDA’s regulation of mifepristone, one of two drugs used in medication abortions. Mifepristone, used alongside misoprostol to terminate pregnancies, was approved as safe and effective by the FDA in 2000, initially for up to seven weeks of pregnancy. In 2016, the FDA extended the approval of mifepristone to 10 weeks. In 2023, those medications accounted for 63% of U.S. abortions.

“Doctors seek public airing before state drops vaccine requirements” via Liz Freeman of the Naples Daily News — The Department of Health can expect to be in the hot seat of an emotional vaccine debate as initial steps get underway to do away with mandates for children to get shots. State Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo, who heads up DOH, announced earlier this month a plan to get rid of all vaccine requirements, not just for children attending school. He has been asked to hold a public workshop on the plan. A notice to change vaccination requirements, which DOH has the authority to act on, was published Sept. 10, but it did not include the proposed language for the changes.

“Barbara Sharief files bill, tied to Scientology, to require drug tests for mass shooters” via Ana Goñi-Lessan of the USA Today Network-Florida — A Florida Democrat has filed a bill backed by the Church of Scientology in response to a spate of mass shootings in Florida and across the country. The measure, filed by Davie Democratic Sen. Sharief, would require medical examiners to conduct a toxicology report and test for psychotropic drugs on anyone suspected of committing a mass shooting. The bill also requires medical examiners to consult with a suspect’s primary care physician or mental health professional. Law enforcement, first responders and teachers must train “on the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs, illicit drugs and controlled substances, including irrational, violent, or suicidal behavior that may be demonstrated by persons under the influence of such drugs or substances.”

“HHS to decertify University of Miami organ agency, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announces” via Jesse Scheckner of Florida Politics — For the first time, federal officials are moving to fire an organization that coordinates organ donations in the United States. Kennedy, Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), just announced plans to decertify the Life Alliance Organ Recovery Agency, a University of Miami-based organ procurement organization. The move comes, he said, after investigators found years of unsafe practices, poor training, understaffing and paperwork errors that endangered patients and undermined public trust. “We are taking bold action and historic action to restore trust in the organ procurement process,” Kennedy said about the decision by the Donald Trump administration. “We are acting because of years of undocumented patient safety data failures and repeated violations of federal requirements, and we intend this decision to serve as a clear warning.”

— RULES —

The AHCA Division of Cost Management and Control will hold a public meeting at 10 a.m. Sept. 30 to review 59B-12.001 to determine if an update of the accepted procedures based on recommendations from the Bone Marrow Transplant Advisory Panel is necessary. Go-To-Webinar.

The AHCA Health Facility and Agency Licensing final rule regarding standards for the appropriate use of facial coverings for infection control went into effect Sept. 14. More here.

AHCA’s Division of Health Facility and Agency Licensing will hold a public workshop at 3 p.m. on Oct. 6 to discuss minimum training requirements for home health aides for medically fragile children. Dial-in number: (888) 585-9008; conference code: 998-518-088#

— PENCIL IT IN —

Sept. 24

1 p.m. — The Suicide Prevention Coordinating Council meets at 1 p.m. to discuss the suicidality of specific populations of focus. Guest speakers will discuss additional risk and protective factors for Florida Farmers, individuals with disabilities and human trafficking survivors. Florida Department of Children and Families Headquarters, 2415 North Monroe St., Room 100.

Sept. 25

Happy birthday to Rep. Michelle Rayner!

Sept. 27

Happy birthday to Rep. Erica Booth!

The post Diagnosis for 9.22.25: Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy appeared first on Florida Politics – Campaigns & Elections. Lobbying & Government..