Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy

Welcome back to Diagnosis, a vertical focused on the intersection of health care policy and politics.

— FHA study —

As Florida’s population grows and demand for health care rises, hospitals report considerable progress in strengthening the state’s health care workforce.

The Florida Hospital Association’s newly released 2025 Annual Workforce Report shows hospitals have added nearly 65,000 jobs since 2020, while sharply reducing vacancy and turnover rates for nurses and allied health professionals. Registered nurse vacancy rates are down 52%, and turnover has fallen 47% since 2022. Allied health professional vacancy rates have dropped to 21%, with turnover cut nearly in half, though shortages persist in some high-demand roles.

The report follows Gov. Ron DeSantis’ announcement that Florida has invested $485 million in nursing education programs, a move FHA says underscores the state’s commitment to workforce development.

“Florida’s hospitals have made remarkable progress in strengthening our workforce, but more work lies ahead as the demand for health care grows and evolves,” said Mary Mayhew, FHA president and CEO. “Sustaining this momentum through expanding training pathways, strengthening hiring efforts and retaining the existing workforce is critical to caring for Florida’s rapidly growing population.”

Florida’s aging population is expected to drive continued demand. The state is home to more than 4.5 million residents age 65 and older, a figure projected to reach 6.7 million by 2036, or 26% of the population. With many health care workers nearing retirement, maintaining a strong pipeline remains a priority.

A 2021 FHA study warned Florida could face a shortage of 59,100 nurses by 2035 without intervention. Since 2022, the Legislature has invested more than $500 million through the LINE and PIPELINE programs, with 157 hospitals providing matching funds to expand nursing education.

Hospitals are partnering with high schools, colleges and workforce programs to support certificate programs, Earn While You Learn initiatives, and enhanced training and mentorship. The report, based on data from 132 hospitals representing nearly half of Florida’s hospital beds, also notes hospitals continue to add patient care roles even as other sectors reduce staffing.

While gaps remain, FHA’s findings point to a more sustainable health care workforce taking shape across Florida.

— A few concerns —

A national physician advocacy group is urging the Florida Department of Health to review whether the state is properly enforcing laws governing autonomous nurse practitioner practice, citing what it describes as widespread noncompliance.

In a Jan. 28 letter to Florida Department of Health Chief of Staff Lauren Cassedy, Physicians for Patient Protection raised concerns that autonomous Advanced Practice Registered Nurse licenses are being granted and exercised outside the limits set in Florida law. State statutes permit autonomous APRN practice only in primary care, a patient-safety safeguard that lawmakers included when they approved expanded practice authority.

According to the group, an independent compliance evaluation conducted by Phoenix Consulting Group reviewed publicly available licensure data for all active autonomous APRNs as of October 2025 and identified 1,731 licensees who appeared potentially noncompliant with one or more statutory requirements. That figure represents roughly 11.3% of Florida’s autonomous APRN workforce.

The analysis found that hundreds of APRNs granted autonomous status hold certifications in specialties not considered primary care under Florida law, including psychiatric mental health, acute care, anesthesia and neonatal practice. Physicians for Patient Protection argues that those certifications do not prepare licenses to provide comprehensive, independent primary care, yet autonomous authority was still granted.

The letter also flagged 327 APRNs who were granted autonomous licensure less than 18 months after initial APRN licensure, raising questions about whether they could have completed the 3,000 physician-supervised clinical hours required by statute.

Citing a separate peer-reviewed study, the group further asserted that most autonomous nurse practitioners in Florida practice outside primary care, most commonly in psychiatry and in cosmetic or non-traditional medical settings.

Physicians for Patient Protection urged the Florida Department of Health to review its verification, auditing and enforcement processes, warning that proposals to expand the scope of practice further should be reconsidered until existing law is consistently enforced.

— Hospital Days —

More than 100 hospital leaders from across Florida gathered at the Capitol last week for Hospital Days.

Hosted by the Florida Hospital Association, the annual event brought executives, clinicians and hospital staff to Tallahassee to meet directly with legislators on key priorities. These included strengthening rural health care, reducing unnecessary and delayed prior authorizations to improve timely access to care, maintaining critical support for graduate medical education, and sustaining funding for hospitals serving Florida’s most vulnerable populations.

FHA Board Chair Randy Haffner, group president and CEO of AdventHealth Florida and Clinical, emphasized that hospitals are making significant investments to keep pace with medical innovation while meeting the needs of a growing and aging population.

“Across Florida, hospitals are making thoughtful, necessary investments to keep pace with medical innovation and to meet the health needs of a growing and aging population,” Haffner said. “This is a shared opportunity for hospitals, policymakers and communities to work together to ensure timely, high-quality care for every Floridian, when and where they need it.”

Hospital Days also highlighted innovation across Florida’s hospital systems, from redesigned emergency departments and same-day cancer care to emerging uses of virtual reality, robotic surgery and home-based care models.

Several lawmakers participated in the two-day event, including Senate Majority Leader Jim Boyd, who addressed hospital leaders during a legislative reception at the Florida Historic Capitol and thanked them for their role in caring for local communities. On Day Two, Reps. Alex Andrade, Hillary Cassel, Sam Garrison, Gallop Franklin and Josie Tomkow joined hospital leaders for a legislative briefing and policy discussion.

The event concluded with hospital leaders visiting legislative offices and engaging policymakers on the future of health care delivery in Florida.

“Great policy decisions are informed through broad public engagement and input,” said Mayhew, FHA President and CEO, emphasizing the importance of front-line perspectives as lawmakers consider health care policy and funding decisions.

— ICYMI —

“AIDS health group challenges Florida’s planned medication cuts” via Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times — A major HIV/AIDS health care organization is trying to stop Florida’s planned cuts to the state AIDS Drug Assistance Program, accusing the state of creating a rule without going through the required process. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed a petition Tuesday in the Division of Administrative Hearings, challenging the state’s planned cuts as an invalid and unenforceable act. It asked a judge to order the Department of Health to “immediately discontinue” the plan. Florida’s cuts could leave about 10,000 people, or more by some advocates’ estimate, without affordable access to lifesaving HIV/AIDS medication.

“Measure to expand school vaccine exemptions advances through first Florida Senate panel” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — A bill expanding vaccine exemptions for Florida schoolchildren cleared its first Senate Committee Monday, despite opposition from health advocates and two Republicans. SB 1756, sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, would allow parents to claim a personal conscience exemption in addition to the existing religious exemption and require providers to discuss vaccine risks and benefits using state-approved materials. The measure passed the Senate Committee on Health Policy 6-4, with Sens. Alexis Calatayud and Gayle Harrell voting no. Harrell warned the bill could endanger children and seniors as vaccination rates decline. More than 30 speakers opposed the bill, citing public health risks. The proposal aligns with the priorities of Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo and now heads to two more Committees.

“Jackson Health CEO to step down. Who will be the new leader?” via Michelle Marchante of the Miami Herald — Jackson Health System’s CEO Carlos Migoya is stepping down after more than a decade of leading one of the largest public health systems in the nation. Migoya made the announcement Thursday during the monthly meeting of the Public Health Trust, the governing body that oversees the Miami-Dade public hospital system. “Jackson’s transformation has become some of my life’s most meaningful work,” the 75-year-old Migoya said. “By making opportunities for the world’s best nurses, doctors, therapists and other health care professionals, we have rebuilt one of Miami-Dade County’s public jewels and created a system well on its way to being a national role model.”

“Ashley Moody proposes bill to increase penalties for health care fraud” via Drew Dixon of Florida Politics — U.S. Sen. Moody has introduced a bill to increase penalties for those who engage in health care fraud. Moody’s proposal, the Punishing Health Care Fraudsters Act, is designed to impose harsher penalties and prison sentences for those who defraud health care systems and providers. “For too long, the American taxpayer has been abused at the hands of criminals who bilk weaknesses in our laws and leaders that won’t bolster enforcement,” Moody said. “The fraud that has been exposed in recent weeks is a cancer that undermines trust and stability in critical programs, steals resources from those who truly need them, and raises the cost on consumers.”

“House advances Susan Valdés measure cutting costs of medical marijuana cards for veterans” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — Legislation lowering the cost of a medical marijuana card for honorably discharged veterans advanced Thursday from the House Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee, with bipartisan support and a companion bill filed in the Senate. The measure, HB 887, sponsored by Rep. Valdés, would reduce the state registration fee from $75 to $15, a change supporters say would remove a financial barrier for underserved veterans. Lawmakers and advocates cited potential benefits for veterans dealing with PTSD and other health conditions. Supporters noted similar legislation reached the House floor last year and pointed to Trump’s support for reclassifying cannabis as a Schedule 3 drug. Valdés said the bill would both aid veterans and improve data on veteran participation.

“Should Florida follow California’s lead on Obamacare?” via Peter Schorsch of Florida Politics — Lawmakers are considering several bills that would lead to Florida easing its long-standing opposition to the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare. HB 1531 and HB 1533 would result in Florida building and operating its own Obamacare exchange, the same model that most blue states adopted a decade ago and that states like Florida deliberately rejected. HB 141 would create a similar government-run marketplace for employers to send workers to buy their Obamacare health insurance. Both mean permanent government expansion to solve a problem that doesn’t exist. With everything else shaking up the ACA, should we really be making such a significant change in the system so many people rely on right now?

— RULES —

The Agency for Health Care Administration Division of Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule regarding licensure requirements for home health agencies went into effect Jan. 26. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration Division of Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule regarding certificates of exemption and exempt status for home health agencies went into effect Jan. 26. More here.

The Agency for Health Care Administration Division of Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule regarding emergency environmental control for nursing homes went into effect Jan. 25. More here.

— PENCIL IT IN —

Feb. 3

8 a.m. — The House Education and Employment Committee meets to consider legislation related to diabetes research and genetic counseling education. Room 102, House Office Building.

11 a.m. — The House Health and Human Services Committee meets to consider bills addressing human trafficking education for nurse licensure, forensic client services, and background screenings. Room 17, House Office Building.

1 p.m. — The Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee meets to consider legislation related to dependent children, children’s initiatives, and early childhood education. Room 301, Senate Office Building.

2:30 p.m. — The House Health Professions and Programs Subcommittee meets to consider legislation affecting acupuncture, chiropractic medicine, medication administration, respiratory care, podiatric medicine, and licensure by endorsement. Room 102, House Office Building.

Feb. 4

9 a.m. — The House Human Services Subcommittee meets for budget discussions related to health and social service programs. Room 314, House Office Building.

1 p.m. — The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services meets to review agency budgets for the Agency for Health Care Administration, Department of Health, Department of Children and Families, Department of Elder Affairs, and Department of Veterans Affairs, and to consider related health legislation. Room 412, Knott Building.

Feb. 5

8 a.m. — The House Health Care Budget Subcommittee meets to review health-related budget issues. Room 314, House Office Building.

4 p.m. — The House Health Care Facilities and Systems Subcommittee meets for budget discussions related to health care facilities and systems. Room 404, House Office Building.

Feb. 6

Happy birthday to Sen. Clay Yarborough!

Feb. 9

1 p.m. — The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services meets to review health and human services budget issues. Room 412, Knott Building.

Feb. 10

Noon — The Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs Committee meets to consider health and human services legislation. Room 301, Senate Office Building.

Feb. 11

3 p.m. — The Senate Health Policy Committee meets to consider health-related legislation. Room 412, Knott Building.