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.

— Get to work —

A bill instituting work requirements on Medicaid cleared the Senate Appropriations Committee after lengthy debate over its scope and logistics.

The sponsor of SB 1758, Sen. Don Gaetz, said the bill’s Medicaid section is aimed at creating a Florida framework for work and community engagement requirements, while requiring a multi-agency “business plan” before any implementation.

Under the proposal, the Agency for Health Care Administration, the Department of Children and Families, the Department of Commerce, and CareerSource Florida would be tasked with developing that plan and returning it to the Legislature.

One amendment adds a 12-month “glide path” for certain recipients who go to work and would otherwise lose Medicaid eligibility, applying a version of transitional medical benefits already referenced in Florida law. A second amendment expands exemptions to include individuals receiving hospice care with a prognosis of six months or less to live.

Democrats on the Committee raised concerns about administrative complexity, the potential for eligible people to lose coverage due to paperwork, and whether the cost of building and operating a new compliance system would outweigh projected savings. Gaetz argued the business plan requirement is designed to answer workability questions, including how exemptions would be documented and how agencies would coordinate.

The Committee ultimately reported the bill favorably, with Sens. Tina Polsky and Carlos Guillermo Smith voting no.

— Keep it natural —

A proposal to create a licensure pathway for naturopathic doctors in Florida cleared its latest Committee stop on a favorable vote after brief testimony for and against the measure.

Supporters of SB 688 argued the bill would expand health care options in a state facing provider shortages and said complaints and malpractice claims involving licensed naturopathic care are rare. One proponent urged the Committee to approve the bill, citing strong demand for naturopathic services across Florida.

Opponents warned that the legislation would grant naturopathic doctors broad authority to diagnose and treat any disease or condition for patients of any age without required collaboration with a patient’s physician.

Jan Bellamy, a Tallahassee attorney who said she has researched alternative medicine licensure issues for two decades, testified that the bill includes no explicit limitations on naturopaths’ advertising or attempts to treat conditions such as cancer and would allow the use of remedies she described as unproven. She also cited concerns about training standards, pointing to the American Academy of Family Physicians’ position that naturopathic education falls well short of medical school and residency requirements.

In closing, sponsor Sen. Ana Maria Rodriguez disputed the criticism and said the bill is not intended to replace medical doctors. Rodriguez said the proposal would not create authority for naturopathic doctors to perform surgery or treat cancer, and she emphasized that any prescribing authority would be limited to natural herbs and nutritional supplements.

The Committee voted to advance SB 688. It now heads to the chamber floor.

— World’s Best —

Tampa General Hospital has once again been named the top hospital in Tampa Bay and a top-three hospital in Florida in Newsweek’s “World’s Best Hospitals 2026” rankings.

The 2026 recognition marks the eighth consecutive year Tampa General has been included in the global list, earning the academic health system the designation of “8-Year Champion & All-Time Winner.”

“Earning a place among Newsweek’s World’s Best Hospitals for the eighth consecutive year reflects the bold, forward-looking work our teams are doing every day to raise the bar for health care,” said John Couris, President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital. “We’re investing in innovation, advancing academic medicine and scaling new models of care that deliver better outcomes and a more seamless patient experience.”

In addition to its overall ranking, Tampa General was recognized by Newsweek and Statista as a leader in infection prevention.

The hospital has leveraged advanced analytics and artificial intelligence-powered tools to identify patients at considerable risk for developing severe infections. Among those efforts is Sepsis Hub, a sepsis monitoring tool developed in partnership with Palantir and physician-scientists. Housed within the health system’s Care Coordination Center, the tool uses real-time data from the electronic health record to flag potential sepsis cases and enable earlier clinical intervention.

According to the hospital, Sepsis Hub has saved 569 lives as of July 2025 and contributed to a 30% reduction in sepsis patients’ length of stay.

This year’s “World’s Best Hospitals” list includes 2,530 medical institutions across 32 countries. Rankings are based on hospital quality metrics, recommendations from medical experts, patient survey results, and data from the Statista Patient Reported Outcome Measures Implementation Survey.

— ICYMI —

“Department of Health uses emergency rule to cut patients off AIDS medication” via Romy Ellenbogen of the Tampa Bay Times — The Department of Health is using emergency rules to cut about 12,000 people off from affordable access to their HIV/AIDS medication starting Sunday. The Department’s emergency rules were filed on Tuesday, one day ahead of a hearing in a legal challenge to the state over changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Louise Wilhite-St. Laurent, an attorney representing the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, called the state’s move “legal subterfuge.” The foundation sued last month after the state said it planned to limit eligibility to the program, which helps low-income HIV and AIDS patients afford medication. Instead of serving people earning 400% of the federal poverty level, eligibility would be slashed to 130%, helping only those at 130% of the federal poverty level, or about $21,000 a year for an individual.

“Florida child vaccine push faces bipartisan opposition, pediatrician worries” via Arek Sarkissian of POLITICO — Legislation backed by DeSantis would expand Florida’s vaccine exemptions by allowing parents to claim an opt-out based on personal beliefs, a proposal drawing bipartisan opposition as it advances in the Senate. Sponsored by Sen. Clay Yarborough, the bill would expand current religious exemptions and allow parents to file online. Pediatricians warn the change could further depress vaccination rates amid a growing measles outbreak, with 92 cases reported this year, most in Collier County. Doctors say declining immunization levels threaten herd immunity and have begun preparing new safety protocols. Critics, including Sen. Gayle Harrell, call the bill dangerous, while supporters argue it balances public health with parental rights. The measure now heads to the Senate floor.

“Senate Committee backs Shevaun Harris confirmation despite lawmakers’ tough questions” via Gabrielle Russon of Florida Politics — The Senate Ethics and Elections Committee advanced confirmation of Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Harris after pointed questioning over the Hope Florida scandal. Lawmakers focused on a $10 million Medicaid settlement that flowed through Hope Florida and was later used to oppose a 2024 marijuana legalization amendment. Sen. Tina Polsky pressed Harris on whether she would approve a similar transfer and whether the agency would seek to recoup the funds. Harris said she would not approve it now, but confirmed AHCA does not plan to recover the money. Sen. Jennifer Bradley also questioned pre-election anti-drug ads. Despite Democratic opposition, Harris won Republican support and backing from Sen. Darryl Rouson, clearing the Committee.

“Medicaid work mandate would trap Florida’s poorest parents in coverage Catch-22” via Joan Alker for the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families — Florida lawmakers are advancing legislation requiring the state to seek a Section 1115 waiver to impose Medicaid work reporting rules on certain “able-bodied adults,” despite Florida not expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act. SB 1758, approved 8-3 by the Senate Health Policy Committee, chaired by Sen. Don Gaetz, would primarily affect very low-income parents and some young adults. Critics argue that the policy creates a Catch-22: parents who fail to meet reporting requirements lose coverage, while those who work enough hours could earn too much to qualify, leaving them uninsured in Florida’s coverage gap. The bill would add complex administrative burdens, likely requiring costly system changes through vendors such as Deloitte. Federal law may bar such mandates in non-expansion states, raising the risk of litigation and taxpayer costs.

— RULES —

The Board of Chiropractic Medicine’s final rule on continuing education requirements during the initial licensure period takes effect on March 12. More here.

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine’s final rule regarding requirements for osteopathic physician office surgery registration goes into effect today. More here.

The Board of Osteopathic Medicine’s final rule regarding physician assistant fees goes into effect today. More here.

The Board of Medicine’s final rule regarding physician assistant fees goes into effect today. More here.

The Board of Medicine’s final rule regarding requirements for physician office surgery registration goes into effect today. More here.

The Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling’s final rule regarding psychotherapist-client relationships goes into effect today. More here.

— PENCIL IT IN —

March 3

Happy birthday to Rep. Fentrice Driskell!

9 a.m. — The Senate Rules Committee meets to consider legislation, including the use of professional nursing titles and veterinary medicine. Room 412 K, Knott Building.

10 a.m. — The House is in Session and scheduled to consider health-related measures, including health and human services, ambulatory surgery centers, assisted living facilities, consultant pharmacists, medication administration by pharmacists, acupuncture, medical marijuana registry identification cards for veterans, uterine fibroid research, and health care public records.

March 4

Happy birthday to Sen. Mack Bernard!

10 a.m. — The House is in Session and scheduled to consider health-related legislation, including Department of Health measures, assisted living facilities, medication administration by pharmacists, acupuncture, consultant pharmacists, and related public records bills.

10 a.m. — The Senate is in Session and may consider SB 196 (Uterine Fibroid Research Database) and other health-related measures placed on the Special Order Calendar.

March 6

Happy birthday to Rep. Taylor Yarkosky!

March 9

The 55th Day rule takes effect in the House. After the 55th day of Session, no House bills on second reading may be taken up, and amendment deadlines tighten.

March 12

The 58th Day rule takes effect in the House. After the 58th day of Session, the House may consider only returning messages, conference reports, and concurrent resolutions.