Florida Senate set to take up major health care legislation (Courtesy of the Jacksonville Business Journal) — The Florida Senate during a floor session Thursday will take up a major health-care plan that is a priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples.
Passidomo and other supporters say the plan, which is in two bills, is designed to increase access to health care and boost innovation.
As an example, one of the bills (SB 7016), sponsored by Senate Health Policy Chairwoman Colleen Burton, R-Lakeland, would take steps, including providing money, to expand medical residency programs to try to keep more new doctors in Florida.
It also includes trying to spur patients to receive treatment from facilities such as urgent-care centers and federally qualified health centers instead of emergency rooms if they do not have emergency conditions.
The other bill (SB 7018), sponsored by Senate Health and Human Services Appropriations Chairwoman Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, would create a $75 million revolving-loan fund to provide low-interest loans for health innovation efforts.
The bill would set up a 15-member council to review loan applications and make recommendations to the Department of Health.
Florida Senate photo courtesy of Spectrum 13