Representative Gallop Franklin’s (D-Tallahassee) legislation to multiply the force of health care professionals prescribing home health care in Florida (HB 935) is moving in the Florida House. The bill on Friday passed the Florida House Select Committee on Health Care Innovation unanimously. Representative Franklin’s proposal will allow advanced practice registered nurses to order medically necessary home health care services.
“Home health care promotes greater independence, reduces hospital stays, and helps maintain patient independence,” Representative Franklin said. “Enhancing home health care services is a compassionate, respectful, and responsible step that promotes extraordinary cost savings for patients and their families as well as Florida taxpayers.”
Representative Franklin noted Florida’s expected growth, especially among seniors, requires the state to embrace innovative and fiscally responsible health care solutions.
This bill will be an important step in providing patients with the ability to receive care at home rather than in a traditional health care setting. Health care services offered in the home may include:
- Doctor care;
- Nursing care;
- Physical, occupational, respiratory, or speech therapy;
- Home health aide services;
- Medical social services; and
- Homemaker/companion services.
Representative Franklin’s proposal allows Medicaid – Florida’s safety net for low-income residents – to pay for home health care services ordered by advanced practice registered nurses.
In his committee testimony Representative Franklin expressed his appreciation to stakeholders from AARP, the Home Care Association of Florida, and the Home Care Association of America for expressing their support of the legislation during the committee meeting.
The bill now moves to the Florida House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee for its consideration. The companion measure in the Florida Senate (SB 1798) sponsored by Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) is scheduled for a Feb. 6 hearing in the Florida Senate Health Policy Committee.
