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Ryan Banfill
District Aide
Office of Rep. Gallop Franklin
850-717-5008
New Home Health Care Services Law Sponsored by Rep. Gallop Franklin to Help Improve Health Outcomes in Florida
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Home health care services will receive a substantial boost under legislation signed last Friday by Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis. The legislation (CS/CS/HB 935) sponsored by Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee) and Senator Jay Trumbull (R-Panama City) allows advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to order medically necessary home health care services.
“Home is the best place for healing and recovery for many patients. This new law to strengthen home health services promotes independence, enhances Florida’s quality of life, and reduces health care costs by preventing unnecessary hospitalizations,” said Representative Franklin. “Thanks to Sen. Trumbull’s incredible work carrying the bill in the Senate, the unanimous support from the Florida Legislature, and with Gov. DeSantis’ signature, Florida will improve health outcomes for our most vulnerable residents.”
Under the new law set to take effect July 1, 2024, 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.
The new law ensures better health outcomes for Floridians by better aligning Florida’s Medicaid safety net for low-income residents with Medicare and private insurers to pay for home health care services ordered by advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants.
Representative Franklin noted the new law is a compassionate, and cost-saving framework to provide patients with a care plan that is tailored to their specific needs.
