Sen. Nick DiCeglie is working to restrict diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs at state medical institutions of higher learning and in state agencies applying for federal grants related to health care.

The Indian Rocks Beach Republican has filed a bill (SB 1710) that would block state agencies from using federal grants or other funds from bequests, charges, deposits, donations, income or any other revenue sources to “establish, sustain, support or staff” a DEI office or to “contract, employ, engage, or hire a person to serve as a” DEI officer.

It also prohibits any potential state agency receiving a state contract or grant from requiring its employees, contractors, volunteers, vendors or agents to study, be instructed on or ascribe to DEI materials that use state funds.

The bill would allow for a notification process to the Attorney General of violations or potential violations and would afford the Attorney General the option to sue for compliance.

The bill defines “diversity, equity and inclusion” as “any effort to manipulate or otherwise influence the composition of employees with reference to race, sex, color, or ethnicity, other than ensuring colorblind and race-neutral hiring in accordance with state and federal anti-discrimination laws.”

It further delineates DEI as “any effort to promote differential treatment of or provide special benefits to a person based on his or her race, color or ethnicity.” The definition also includes efforts to promote policies or procedures that reference race or ethnicity or the adoption of training on issues relating to race, color, ethnicity, gender identity or sexual orientation.

The bill also calls out DEI efforts to promote “a particular opinion referencing unconscious or implicit bias, cultural appropriation, allyship, transgender ideology, microaggressions, group marginalization, antiracism, systemic oppression, social justice, intersectionality, neopronouns, heteronormativity, disparate impact, gender theory, racial or sexual privilege,” or any other similar concept.

It exempts from the definition “equal opportunity or equal employment opportunity materials designed to inform a person” of rights affiliated with various protected status.

Additionally, the bill would require a standardized admissions test for any state medical institution of higher education that focuses on “knowledge of and critical thinking skills for science and medical training,” meaning admission would not be granted based on DEI initiatives or policies.

DiCeglie filed the measure Friday. It does not yet have a House companion.

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At a town hall this week hosted by Democratic U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick on “The Future of Medicaid, Medicare, and Social Security,” extending the tax credits for private health insurance was one of the topics of discussion.

“The enhanced premium tax credits provided by the Affordable Care Act are set to expire at the end of 2025,” read the moderator from a question submitted by someone in the audience. “These tax credits help millions of people here in Florida afford health care. Does Congress have a plan to extend these tax credits in order to keep health care affordable for these Floridians?”

Currently, more than 4 million working Floridians and their families receive tax credits that reduce the monthly premiums they pay for private health insurance.

If Congress fails to act this year and allows these tax credits to expire, premiums would skyrocket. A 60-year-old couple earning $82,000 a year would pay $13,000 more for their annual premiums.

“Making sure we preserve those tax credits to actually help families is our No. 1 priority,” Cherfilus-McCormick said.

Many, including families with small children, people with chronic conditions, early retirees and small-business owners, will simply not be able to afford coverage.

Floridians in rural areas are expected to be among the hardest hit if tax credits are not extended. Options in rural areas are fewer and harder to reach, and the cost of insurance is much higher.

While Cherfilus-McCormick hails from a blue district, an overwhelming majority of Republicans want to see the tax credits extended.

Trump pollster Tony Fabrizio found that 78% of Donald Trump supporters nationally want to see the health care premium tax credits for working families extended, according to exclusive reporting in the Washington Examiner.

Republicans have a razor-thin majority in Congress, 217-215, and extending the tax credits is especially important if they want to maintain that majority during the upcoming Midterms.

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