Senate committees advance streamlined licensure pathway, expanded services for people with disabilities
TALLAHASEE, Fla. – Two Florida Senate committees advanced key components of the “Live Healthy” agenda this week.
The components aim to “grow the state’s health care workforce, increase access, and incentivize innovation,” according to a press release.
The Committee on Health Policy passed SB 1600 “Interstate Mobility” by Sen. Jay Collins, R-Tampa, to create a “streamlined licensure pathway” for out-of-state providers moving to Florida.
Collins said this legislation maintains “critical qualification and background check requirements, while streamlining the process to begin the dream of living and working in the Sunshine State.”
The bill creates the MOBILE Act, which requires the Department of Health to issue a license or certificate by endorsement within 15 days of receiving all required documents for out-of-state-health care providers moving to Florida, according to a press release.
Sen. Jason Brodeur, R-Sanford, is carrying SB 1758 to “expand services to Floridians with disabilities.”
In a press release, Brodeur said his bill prioritizes home-based care options and associated funding for those with an aging caregiver, so both the caregiver and the person with a disability “can live a happy, safe, and healthy life in their own home.”
The bill modifies the application process for Agency for Persons with Disabilities services, adding an online application process and streamlining the timeframe to determine eligibility.
The bill also reduces the age requirement for a person’s caregiver in pre-enrollment category four from 70 years of age to 60 years or older.
According to the press release, this will allow more individuals to be included in category four of the pre-enrollment prioritization list.
Two other bills related to the Senate’s “Live Healthy” agenda recently passed the floor unanimously.
Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples, has made expanding the health care workforce a top priority for this legislative session.
“Live Healthy will expand Florida’s healthcare workforce with new opportunities for education, training and retention,” Passidomo recently said.
