Diagnosis: Checking the pulse of Florida healthcare news and policy

— ‘Freedom’ battle —

Turns out the only health policy fight this week was between the Governor and the House Speaker.

Any expectation of a broader debate over “medical freedom” — and the so-called AI Bill of Rights — fizzled minutes after the House gaveled in for the Special Session.

House Speaker Daniel Perez made clear the chamber would not take up proposals to roll back vaccine requirements, effectively sidelining an issue that was one of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ top legislative priorities.

“I’ve spoken with many members that have come to see me on these issues, and I feel confident that the position of this body on not moving on either of those issues was the right (decision),” Perez told the media.

DeSantis has had little positive to say about the House during Perez’s tenure, and that trend continues. Minutes after Perez delivered the dagger to SB 6D, which never drew a House companion, the Governor blasted the decision.

“Voters elected Republicans to protect freedom against both the Big Tech cartel and the medical industrial complex. Yet, when given the chance to deliver for their constituents, not a single Republican House member could even be bothered to file a bill. Typical political shenanigans,” the Governor posted.

Gubernatorial complaining aside, polling indicates the House capitalized on “the chance to deliver for their constituents” by ignoring his wishes. A Cygnal survey released just ahead of the Special Session found two out of three voters, including 54% of Republicans, opposed the plan. Further, 53% of Republican Primary voters said they would be less likely to vote for a state legislative candidate who supported the “medical freedom” package. In comparison, 44% said it would cause the candidate to lose their vote outright.

The policy is now presumed dead until the 2027 Session, though it could theoretically resurface during another Special Session. The May Session’s purview is limited to the budget, but DeSantis has hinted for months that he may call a separate Special Session to place a property tax amendment on the ballot.

The Speaker also nixed the so-called AI Bill of Rights, the other add-on to a Special Session that had initially been called solely to tackle congressional redistricting. That proposal (SB 2D) was arguably health-adjacent, as the rhetoric behind the push leaned heavily on anecdotes about AI’s impact on minors struggling with depression or experiencing suicidal ideation.

An oft-cited event during Regular Session debate on the Senate bill (SB 482) was an Orlando boy’s decision to commit suicide after discussing his ideation with an AI chatbot. Sponsor Tom Leek cited a message from the chat log — “Come home. Come home, my sweet king.” — during his closing ahead of the bill passing the Senate on a 35-2 vote early last month.

But just like the “medical freedom” bill, there was no appetite for state-level AI regulations in the House, with Perez maintaining that President Donald Trump’s order preempting oversight to the federal government was unambiguous, a position he reiterated Tuesday.

“On the AI issue, I understand the Governor’s concern of wanting to protect children. We want to protect children, too. He is not wrong for wanting that,” he said.

“But we have seen very clearly the President of the United States issued an executive order stating that the federal government should take charge of the AI policies of this country, that this is a national security concern, that this is bigger than just one state or one part of the country.”

— No, thank you —

Florida voters support current public school vaccine requirements and show little appetite for change, according to recent polling from McLaughlin & Associates.

The political research and strategy firm’s survey, conducted between April 20 and 23, also shows support for vaccines is as strong now as it was at the beginning of the year, before legislative debates on potential changes.

About eight in 10 Florida voters say they support the safeguards in place, which is in line with results from the same pollster’s survey conducted Jan. 5-8. That poll found that a large majority of voters favored vaccines.

The new results landed as the Senate was set to consider Special Session legislation similar to a bill (SB 1756) known as the Medical Freedom Act that passed in the chamber during the Regular Session.

Like SB 1756, SB 6D, by Jacksonville Republican Sen. Clay Yarborough, would have allowed family exemptions from school vaccine requirements for religious or personal reasons. Also like SB 1756, the House’s lack of enthusiasm for the change killed SB 6D.

Republican pollster Jim McLaughlin, a longtime GOP strategist and a pollster for President Donald Trump, said the latest survey confirms that voter favorability of vaccine policies in schools is not a shifting or fragile opinion.

“This is a durable consensus,” said McLaughlin. “You’re seeing nearly eight in 10 voters support the current law, a majority opposed to changing it, and large majorities moving even more strongly in that direction when they consider the consequences. That tells you this issue holds up with voters.”

Additionally, McLaughlin said an overwhelming majority of voters see no reason to modify current Florida school policies governing vaccines.

— Red alert —

Pediatric care providers are raising alarms about the potential impacts of a shift in how Florida allocates Medicaid funding, with some warning they may have only weeks of runway to operate without intervention.

The issue stems from a February 2025 policy change that moved Applied Behavior Analysis services into Medicaid managed care. While intended to curb fraud and improve oversight, providers say the transition has unintentionally redirected funding away from routine pediatric care to cover ABA services, despite those services serving a relatively small share of Medicaid patients.

Pediatric providers broadly support the anti-fraud efforts, including a new Public Assistance Fraud Task Force jointly launched by Attorney General James Uthmeier and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

However, providers cautioned that enforcement alone won’t address the funding imbalance and that some practices may not survive long enough to see the fraud problem solved.

“Behavior analysis is about quality, not quantity,” said C. Baker Wright, a Tallahassee-based behavior analyst, who noted that tighter controls on service authorizations instead of across-the-board rate changes could help address misuse without destabilizing care.

Providers say the managed care shift has also squeezed smaller practices, with some unable to accept lower reimbursement rates offered by health plans. Higher-volume operators have been better able to absorb the cuts, raising concerns about consolidation and access.

According to providers, the Governor’s Office has signaled a willingness to engage on the issue, and while AHCA has not yet issued a public response, several communications directed to Medicaid managed care plans in recent months have sought to better understand the issue and find a resolution.

But without a correction, the result would be reduced access to basic healthcare for some of Florida’s most vulnerable children, which providers warn would cause lasting damage to well-being and add pressure to Florida’s broader healthcare system in ways that extend well beyond Medicaid.

— FHA goes to D.C. —

Florida hospital leaders were in Washington last week to urge federal support for policies improving access, affordability and long-term stability in the state’s healthcare system.

The push comes as debates intensify over Medicare Advantage plans, the 340B Drug Pricing Program and broader cost pressures facing providers. Hospital leaders say increasingly complex payment systems, administrative burdens and delayed reimbursements are straining operations even as demand for care continues to rise.

“Florida’s communities rely on the strength of the state’s hospitals and healthcare systems more and more each day,” said Mary Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. “ … Support from our federal partners is vital to sustaining Florida’s healthcare infrastructure and meeting the growing demand for healthcare services.”

A key concern is Medicare Advantage, where hospitals are calling for more consistent payment practices, faster approvals and greater transparency from insurers. They also stressed the importance of preserving the 340B program, which helps hospitals offset costs and expand access to medications, particularly in underserved communities.

Nearly 40 Florida hospital leaders participated in the advocacy effort, held alongside the American Hospital Association’s annual meeting. During the trip, they met with 24 members of Florida’s U.S. House delegation as well as U.S. Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott.

“FHA Hill Day provides hospital leaders with an opportunity to share firsthand how federal policies impact patient care in their communities and forge strong partnerships to improve access to high-quality care,” Mayhew said. “With Florida’s rapidly growing and aging population, it’s critical to advance federal policies that reduce administrative barriers and sustain essential programs that support modern, patient-centered care.”

— Welcome aboard —

DeSantis last week announced two appointments to the Florida Board of Dentistry, selecting Kelly Mallette as a new member and reappointing Angela Johnson to the regulatory body overseeing dental professionals statewide.

Mallette, who currently serves as senior director of Government Affairs for Ronald L. Book PA, brings a blend of public service and policy experience to the Board. Her background includes service as an elected Commissioner for the Village of Biscayne Park and involvement in civic and professional organizations, such as the Florida Association of Professional Lobbyists. She also served on the Miami-Dade County Safe Neighborhoods Parks Bonds Committee.

Johnson, a registered dental hygienist based in DeLand, returns to the Board with direct, hands-on experience in patient care. She works in a dental office and has remained active in professional and community groups, including the American Dental Hygiene Association and the Victoria Gardens Women’s Club. Johnson earned a degree in dental hygiene from Florida State College at Jacksonville.

The Board of Dentistry is responsible for licensing, discipline and rulemaking for dental practitioners across Florida.

Both appointments are subject to confirmation by the Florida Senate.

— Moody on board —

U.S. Sen. Ashley Moody continued her efforts to improve healthcare for Americans this month.

In a discussion with the U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., during a hearing before the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pension (HELP) Committee in April, Moody stressed she wants Kennedy’s commitment to increasing healthcare services across the country.

“As a concerned mother who is fully on board with making our food safer and healthier, it was great to discuss efforts to help Americans lead more healthy lives at the Senate HELP Committee hearing. We have more work to do, but continuing the push to combat chronic disease is something everybody can get behind,” Moody said.

Among her priorities, the Republican said she wants to lower drug prices and directed Kennedy to make advances in improving public school food nutrition.

She’s also stipulating that he ramp up efforts to ensure that more nutritious food is served in hospitals and encouraging the enactment of national standards for medical students that mandate nutrition training.

Moody’s office highlighted a recent HHS announcement that it had reached “historic agreements” with more than 50 medical schools — including six in Florida — to require comprehensive nutrition education.

— ICYMI —

“He had a type of cancer that was 99% survivable. How his journey through Florida’s healthcare system went wrong” via Carolyn Gevinski and Alex Klavens for the Florida Trib — Even in a state like Florida, which boasts acclaimed oncology centers, is a magnet for highly trained specialists and has the resources to devote considerable money to fight the disease, a cancer diagnosis can be a ride through hell. That’s particularly true in complex cases where effective care spans multiple disciplines and no single practitioner supervises the entire course of treatment. Specialized care teams exist in theory, meant to pool expertise. But in practice, patients like Dave Wyatt sometimes find themselves thrust into the role of de facto coordinators, navigating a fragmented system without medical training, shuttling between specialists while grappling with increasingly terrifying symptoms.

“Autonomous robot company begins pilot with BayCare” via Michael Connor of the St. Pete Catalyst — Rovex Technologies Corporation is one of the member organizations at St. Petersburg-based incubator spARK Labs by ARK Invest. The Gainesville-based autonomous robot company opened an office in February. According to Rovex founder and CEO David Crabb, the startup began a pilot program with BayCare Health System this month. Rovi, a device that can carry stretchers, will be implemented at Morton Plant Hospital in Clearwater. “It’s a really exciting moment,” he said. BayCare is pushing toward this concept of “using autonomous robots to offload work from our healthcare workers so that they can focus on the patient.” Rovi will first move in “simple patterns” in a “non-patient-facing area.” The device will then be utilized in “active clinical environments.” It will eventually perform empty stretcher transportation tasks.

“Oscar Health seeks to build ‘Airbnb for Healthcare’ with new marketplace” via Marissa Plescia of Med City News — Healthcare is the most expensive line item in every household in America, followed by housing, transportation, education and groceries, according to Mark Bertolini, CEO of Oscar Health. However, unlike healthcare, Americans can actually “shop as a consumer” in these other industries. “You go out and look for what you want,” he said. “You decide what you’re going to buy. … You make trade-offs, you negotiate, and you get the best deal for you. In healthcare, you take what your employer offers. You pay 15%, you go into a system that has no pricing, and you don’t know what you can do to control costs. We need to put the consumer in the middle of what happens in healthcare and make the choices they need to make for their lives.”

“The invisible debris: how Hurricane Ian’s trauma still haunts SW FL” via Mickenzie Hannon of the Naples Daily News — More than three years after Hurricane Ian, many Southwest Florida residents continue to struggle with lasting trauma and a mental health crisis that has outlived the storm itself. Survivors describe navigating recovery systems as overwhelming, with bureaucratic delays and funding hurdles compounding stress. Local officials acknowledge a shortage of mental health professionals, leaving many without consistent care as demand grows. While counties have committed funding and long-term solutions are in development, gaps remain in access and capacity. For many, recovery is less about rebuilding homes and more about coping with anxiety, grief and instability. Community organizations have stepped in to provide support, but for thousands, the emotional toll continues to shape daily life long after the floodwaters receded.

“Healthcare trust for Florida schools grows to 20 District participants, with more on the way” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — The Florida Educator Health Trust is rapidly expanding its footprint, with 19 School Districts now participating and serving more than 56,000 employees, and Lafayette County set to finalize its agreement this week. Launched last year with just three counties, the program has grown quickly as Districts seek relief from rising healthcare costs without reducing benefits. Officials say the model, which pools self-insured Districts, is already delivering measurable savings, totaling more than $7.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 alone. Individual Districts are reporting significant projected savings, particularly in prescription drug and premium costs. With additional Districts considering participation, the program is positioning itself as a scalable solution to mounting healthcare expenses facing Florida’s public school systems.

“Florida Council of 100 launching new initiatives to increase healthcare and infrastructure firms” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — The Florida Council of 100 hopes to draw more healthcare and infrastructure businesses to the state by expanding one of its platforms designed to lure companies to and expand the economy. “Ambition Accelerated” is the business platform Council of 100 officials hope will lure those companies to the Sunshine State. The Florida Council of 100 is an organization of business leaders in the Sunshine State. The Ambition Accelerator is an offshoot of the Council’s Gold Coast Tech Accelerator, designed to support financial technology companies in the state. It seeks to connect Fintech companies with commercial networks in Florida. The Ambition Accelerator has the same philosophy but seeks to hook in specifically healthcare and infrastructure companies.

— RULES —

The Board of Podiatric Medicine’s final rule regarding disciplinary guidelines for podiatrists (64B18-14.002) goes into effect May 12. More here.

The Department of Health’s final rule on procedures for opting out of and opting into the sickle cell registry (64-9.001) takes effect on May 6. More here.

AHCA’s Health Facility and Agency Licensing final rule regarding the scope of services (59A-8.008) goes into effect on May 5. More here.

— PENCIL IT IN —

May 1

Happy birthday to Rep. Richard Gentry!

11:30 a.m. — Lauren’s Kids 2026 “Walk in My Shoes” comes to Tallahassee. The event, held in Kleman Plaza, begins with a Fun Walk and Safety Fair at 11:30 a.m., followed by “The Final Miles” at 2 p.m. Tallahassee is the final stop of the organization’s monthlong, 1,500-mile trek across Florida. Full schedule and registration information are available on the Lauren’s Kids website.

May 4

Happy birthday to Sen. Tina Polsky!

May 6

Happy birthday to Reps. Toby Overdorf and Tracie Davis!

9:30 a.m. — The Florida Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Janet Thorpe v. Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center. More information here.

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