Source: TFP File Photo A House panel Tuesday unanimously approved a wide-ranging plan aimed at increasing the number of physicians in the state an
A House panel Tuesday unanimously approved a wide-ranging plan aimed at increasing the number of physicians in the state and expanding access to health care, a priority of Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, R-Naples.
The House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee revised its version of the bill (HB 1549) to change the amounts of money that would go to various programs.
House Majority Leader Michael Grant, a Port Charlotte Republican, said the revised bill would cost $714 million.
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For example, the changes would increase the proposed amounts that would go to medical residency programs. Supporters of the bill say that expanded residency programs would lead to more new physicians staying in the state.
Grant said additional changes will be made to the bill as the House and Senate negotiate a final version of the plan.
“This bill is still a work in progress,” Grant said.
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Last month, the Senate passed its version of the bill (SB 7016). The bills are similar, including calling for steps such as expanding medical residency programs, helping clear the way for doctors from other countries to practice in Florida, and allowing the creation of what are known as “advanced birth centers.”
Such centers could provide cesarean-section deliveries for women who have what are considered low-risk pregnancies — something not allowed currently at birth centers. The House version of the bill needs approval from the Health & Human Services Committee before it could go to the full House.
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