Checking the pulse of Florida health care news and policy

Welcome back to Diagnosis, a vertical that focuses on the crossroads of health care policy and politics.

— Dose of sunshine —

Sen. Ileana García wants to pull back the curtain on the financial relationships between pharmaceutical companies and Florida health care practitioners.

The Miami Republican last week filed a bill (SB 596) that would require doctors and other licensed professionals to routinely report any “personal benefit” they receive from drugmakers — a term defined broadly to include everything from gifts and sponsored travel to research funding, free samples, speaking fees and investment interests, according to the bill text.

Under the proposal, practitioners would submit quarterly disclosures to the Department of Health detailing the “nature, value and purpose” of any benefit received from a drug company. DOH would then be responsible for creating uniform reporting procedures and building a public database where Floridians can search either by provider names or drug companies, and what perks have changed hands.

The bill also directs the department to issue guidelines on ethical engagement with drug companies. The Auditor General, meanwhile, would be tasked with verifying the accuracy of disclosures, ensuring compliance and identifying potential conflicts of interest.

Those who skirt the requirements would be subject to disciplinary action by the appropriate licensing Board for their profession. A second violation would constitute a first-degree misdemeanor, subjecting the offender to potential criminal penalties under state law.

SB 596 has not yet received Committee assignments, nor has it picked up a House companion.

— Passing the torch —

Baptist Health is turning to a familiar face to lead the system after current President and CEO Michael Mayo retires in December.

Matt Zuino has served as Baptist Health’s Chief Operating Officer since 2020, a role that placed him at the center of the organization’s operational overhaul and long-term planning efforts.

In a news release announcing the pick, Board Chair Deborah Pass Durham described Zuino as “a visionary leader with a proven track record of driving strategic results and operational excellence while consistently prioritizing people and community.”

Mayo, who is retiring after a 40-year career in health care leadership, hit the same beats, praising his successor for “uniting our leaders together around strategic vision, shared goals and measurable outcomes.”

He added, “At the same time, he understands that excellence in health care isn’t just about metrics — it’s about culture, connection and the ability to improve lives. I am confident that he will continue Baptist Health’s legacy as North Florida’s trusted leader in community health and well-being.”

Zuino joined Baptist Health in 2017, serving as President of Physician Integration before becoming COO. He previously worked at Virtua Health in New Jersey, where he served as Senior Vice President of Hospital Services and COO of Virtua Medical Group.

“This is an exciting, transformational time at Baptist Health,” said Zuino, who will begin in his new role effective Jan. 17. “I feel very fortunate to build upon our 70-year legacy as the area’s only locally headquartered, mission-driven, faith-based health system. Our future will be defined by how well we listen, innovate and accelerate our commitment to those we serve as we look toward 2030 and beyond.”

— Dollars & sense —

The Florida Educator Health Trust has pitched itself as a way for School Districts to get off the health insurance hamster wheel, and it says the numbers are starting to back that up.

The nonprofit trust’s mission is straightforward: districts pool together, use their collective size to negotiate better deals, and keep plans stable without asking teachers and staff to swallow benefit cuts.

“By harnessing the power of the group district membership, FLEHT is able to perform for the whole what is not possible individually in the insurance marketplace,” said Ted Roush, a former Superintendent of Schools who now serves as FLEHT’s Executive Director.

“We set out to provide much-needed services to School Districts without compromising benefits to educators, and it is working. In the districts where we have signed agreements, they are realizing savings in the millions of dollars. As we grow and achieve significant economies of scale, those savings will not only continue but will increase substantially.”

According to Brevard School Board Vice Chair Megan Wright, the nonprofit trust has already saved the Space Coast School District more than $1 million during the “very short time” it’s been on board. Polk Superintendent Fred Heid said his county is seeing both financial and manpower savings.

“This partnership is more than a cost-saving measure—it’s a strategic investment that has elevated our operational capacity and positioned the district for smarter, more sustainable decision-making,” Heid added.

And in Hendry County, one of the state’s smallest districts and a founding member of FLEHT, the impact has been especially significant: $5 million over two years.

“These are tangible savings that occurred while maintaining or increasing benefits to our valued employees,” said Hendry Superintendent Mike Swindle.

FLEHT was formerly known as the FSHIP program, which was established in 2009 by the Florida School Board Insurance Trust. In April 2025, the program transitioned to FLEHT under the Florida Association of District School Superintendents. An Executive Committee of Florida Superintendents oversees it, and all member Districts have voting trustees ensuring the trust’s mission always reflects the needs of educators.

— ROSTER —

Gov. Ron DeSantis granted four members of the Board of Medicine to new terms alongside the announcement of four new members in a mid-November appointment spree.

The new additions include Dr. Gobivenkata Balaji, a Brevard Health Center physician-executive; Dr. Lee Gross, a direct primary care physician and practice founder; Dr. John Littell, a family physician; and former Florida State University Trustee Deborah Sargeant.

They will join returning members Dr. Amy Derick, a dermatology practice owner and current Board Chair; Dr. David Diamond, a radiation oncologist with Oncology Physicians of Florida; Dr. Patrick Hunter, a general pediatrician at Pensacola Pediatrics; and Nicole Justice, Tampa General Hospital’s Vice President of Patient Safety, Risk and Insurance.

The Board of Medicine is the state’s primary regulatory body setting medical practice and physician licensing standards. The Board is comprised of 15 gubernatorial appointees — 12 practicing physicians and three public members.

Board of Medicine appointments are subject to confirmation by the state Senate.

—ICYMI—

“Senate panel passes bill forcing Medicaid managed care plans to offer more after-hour appointments” via Christine Jordan Sexton of the Florida Phoenix — There’s an effort underway in the Legislature to make sure the managed care companies that receive billions of dollars to provide care to the poor, sick and elderly remain open between 5 p.m. and 8 a.m. Monday through Friday and on the weekends. Specifically, SB 40 would amend Medicaid statutes to require that at least 50% of a managed care plan’s primary care provider network offer availability to Medicaid enrollees during off-hours. The Senate Health Policy Committee passed SB 40, offered by Sen. Barbara Sharief, a Miramar Democrat. The Florida Association of Nurse Practitioners and AARP Florida support the bill. HB 163 is the companion measure sponsored by Miami Gardens Democratic Rep. Felicia Robinson. That bill has been referred to the House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee, the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, and the House Health & Human Services Committee. It has yet to be placed on any agenda.

AHCA data shows 30% drop in abortions year-over-year — Florida recorded a sharp decline in abortions through the first 10 months of 2025, with newly posted AHCA data showing 36,857 procedures as of Oct. 31 — roughly a 30% drop from the 52,753 reported during the same span in 2024. The decrease follows the implementation of Florida’s six-week abortion ban last May, which includes narrow exceptions. Nearly all of the reported total (36,618 procedures) occurred in the first trimester, while 239 took place in the second trimester, most commonly for fatal fetal abnormalities (146 cases) according to AHCA’s trimester-by-reason dataset. County-level figures show the highest totals in Miami-Dade (7,825), Broward (5,244) and Hillsborough (3,536). AHCA data also shows 1,178 out-of-state patients year-to-date.

“Rick Scott rolls out proposal to ‘fix Obamacare’” via A.G. Gancarski of Florida Politics — U.S. Sen. Scott isn’t just criticizing the Affordable Care Act. He’s doing something about it. The Naples Republican is introducing the More Affordable Care Act. And the sequel, he believes, is better than the original. “Obamacare has failed to deliver on its promises: families didn’t get to keep their insurance plans, couldn’t keep their doctors, and didn’t save money — and neither did the federal government. Instead, Obamacare created a system that left American families with fewer choices, higher costs, and health care that doesn’t meet their needs. That’s obvious, and it’s why President (Donald) Trump and the American people are demanding solutions to fix this broken system,” Scott said.

“Kevin Cooper elected Chair of Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board” via Jesse Mendoza of Florida Politics — The Sarasota Memorial Hospital Board has elected former Army Sergeant and community leader Cooper as its new Chair. Cooper, who serves as a vice president at Mote Marine Laboratory, was nominated for the position by newly elected Board Secretary Pam Beitlich. His selection reflects broad confidence in his leadership and experience in both the business and nonprofit sectors. “It’s an honor to serve as Chairman and to help guide an institution that consistently sets the standard for excellence in patient care,” Cooper said. “Sarasota Memorial has earned national recognition because of the dedication of its physicians, nurses, and staff, and my focus will be on supporting their work and strengthening the trust this community places in us every day.”

— RULES —

The Board of Dentistry’s final rule regarding remediable tasks delegable to a dental hygienist (64B5-16.006) goes into effect Nov. 30. More here.

The Board of Optometry’s final rule regarding the formulary of topical ocular pharmaceutical agents (64B13-18.002 ) goes into effect Dec. 7. More here.

The AHCA Division of Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule regarding extended congregate care services (59A-36.021) goes into effect on Thursday. More here.

The AHCA Division of Health Facility and Agency Licensing’s final rule regarding admission procedures, appropriate placement and continued residency criteria (59A-36.006) goes into effect on Thursday. More here.

— PENCIL IT IN —

Nov. 28

Happy birthday to Rep. Jennifer Kincart Jonsson!

Dec. 2

Happy birthday to Sen. Debbie Mayfield!

10 a.m. — The Senate Health Policy Committee meets. Room 412 K, the Capitol.

1 p.m. — The House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee meets, including an AHCA implementation briefing and panel discussion on SB 2514. Room 404 H, the Capitol.

3:30 p.m. — The House Health Care Budget Subcommittee meets for a One Big Beautiful Bill Act briefing. Room 314 H, the Capitol.

Dec. 3

8 a.m. — Osteopathic Medicine and Health Awareness Day begins at the Capitol Courtyard. The Capitol.

8:30 a.m. — The House Human Services Subcommittee meets for implementation briefings from DCF. Room 314 H, the Capitol.

9 a.m. — The Senate Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services meets. Room 412 K, the Capitol.

Dec. 4

Happy birthday to Rep. Anne Gerwig!

8:30 a.m. — The House Commerce Committee meets. Room 212 K, the Capitol.

8:30 a.m. — The House Health & Human Services Committee meets for a briefing on nursing education and to consider HB 121. Room 17 H, the Capitol.

1 p.m. — The Social Services Estimating Conference meets on Medicaid caseloads. Room 117 K, the Capitol.