CS/CS/HB 1503
1
A bill to be entitled
2An act relating to health care; amending s. 112.0455,
3F.S., and repealing paragraph (10)(e), relating to a
4prohibition against applying the Drug-Free Workplace Act
5retroactively; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.
6381.00315, F.S.; directing the Department of Health to
7accept funds from counties, municipalities, and certain
8other entities for the purchase of certain products made
9available under a contract with the United States
10Department of Health and Human Services for the
11manufacture and delivery of such products in response to a
12public health emergency; repealing s. 383.325, F.S.,
13relating to the requirement of a licensed facility under
14s. 383.305, F.S., to maintain inspection reports; amending
15s. 395.0197, F.S.; providing for a rebuttable presumption
16against negligence or malpractice claims for hospitals and
17their employees or independent contractors under specified
18circumstances; establishing components for the plan;
19repealing s. 395.1046, F.S., relating to the investigation
20of complaints regarding hospitals; repealing s. 395.3037,
21F.S.; deleting definitions relating to obsolete provisions
22governing primary and comprehensive stroke centers;
23amending s. 400.0239, F.S.; deleting an obsolete
24provision; repealing s. 400.147(10), F.S., relating to a
25requirement that a nursing home facility report any notice
26of a filing of a claim for a violation of a resident's
27rights or a claim of negligence; repealing s. 400.148,
28F.S., relating to the Medicaid "Up-or-Out" Quality of Care
29Contract Management Program; repealing s. 400.195, F.S.,
30relating to reporting requirements for the Agency for
31Health Care Administration; amending s. 400.476, F.S.;
32providing requirements for an alternate administrator of a
33home health agency; revising the duties of the
34administrator; revising the requirements for a director of
35nursing for a specified number of home health agencies;
36prohibiting a home health agency from using an individual
37as a home health aide unless the person has completed
38training and an evaluation program; requiring a home
39health aide to meet certain standards in order to be
40competent in performing certain tasks; requiring a home
41health agency and staff to comply with accepted
42professional standards; providing certain requirements for
43a written contract between certain personnel and the
44agency; requiring a home health agency to provide certain
45services through its employees; authorizing a home health
46agency to provide additional services with another
47organization; providing responsibilities of a home health
48agency when it provides home health aide services through
49another organization; requiring the home health agency to
50coordinate personnel who provide home health services;
51requiring personnel to communicate with the home health
52agency; amending s. 400.487, F.S.; requiring a home health
53agency to provide a patient or the patient's legal
54representative a copy of the agreement between the agency
55and the patient which specifies the home health services
56to be provided; providing the rights that are protected by
57the home health agency; requiring the home health agency
58to furnish nursing services by or under the supervision of
59a registered nurse; requiring the home health agency to
60provide therapy services through a qualified therapist or
61therapy assistant; providing the duties and qualifications
62of a therapist and therapy assistant; requiring
63supervision by a physical therapist or occupational
64therapist of a physical therapist assistant or
65occupational therapy assistant; providing duties of a
66physical therapist assistant or occupational therapy
67assistant; providing for speech therapy services to be
68provided by a qualified speech-language pathologist or
69audiologist; providing for a plan of care; providing that
70only the staff of a home health agency may administer
71drugs and treatments as ordered by certain health
72professionals; providing requirements for verbal orders;
73providing duties of a registered nurse, licensed practical
74nurse, home health aide, and certified nursing assistant
75who work for a home health agency; providing for
76supervisory visits of services provided by a home health
77agency; repealing s. 408.802(11), F.S., relating to the
78applicability of the Health Care Licensing Procedures Act
79to private review agents; repealing s. 409.912(15)(e),
80(f), and (g), F.S., relating to a requirement for the
81Agency for Health Care Administration to submit a report
82to the Legislature regarding the operations of the CARE
83program; repealing s. 409.9122(13), F.S., relating to
84Medicaid managed prepaid plan minimum enrollment levels
85for plans operating in Miami-Dade County; amending s.
86409.91255, F.S.; transferring administrative
87responsibility for the application procedure for federally
88qualified health centers from the Department of Health to
89the Agency for Health Care Administration; requiring the
90Florida Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., to
91provide support and assume administrative costs for the
92program; repealing s. 429.12(2), F.S., relating to the
93sale or transfer of ownership of an assisted living
94facility; repealing s. 429.23(5), F.S., relating to each
95assisted living facility's requirement to submit a report
96to the agency regarding liability claims filed against it;
97repealing s. 429.911(2)(a), F.S., relating to an
98intentional or negligent act materially affecting the
99health or safety of center participants as grounds for
100which the agency may take action against the owner of an
101adult day care center or its operator or employee;
102requiring persons who apply for licensure renewal as a
103dentist or dental hygienist to furnish certain information
104to the Department of Health in a dental workforce survey;
105requiring the Board of Dentistry to issue a
106nondisciplinary citation and a notice for failure to
107complete the survey within a specified time; providing
108notification requirements for the citation; requiring the
109department to serve as the coordinating body for the
110purpose of collecting, disseminating, and updating dental
111workforce data; requiring the department to maintain a
112database regarding the state's dental workforce; requiring
113the department to develop strategies to maximize federal
114and state programs and to work with an advisory body to
115address matters relating to the state's dental workforce;
116providing membership of the advisory body; providing for
117members of the advisory body to serve without
118compensation; requiring the department to act as a
119clearinghouse for collecting and disseminating information
120regarding the dental workforce; requiring the department
121and the board to adopt rules; providing legislative intent
122regarding implementation of the act within existing
123resources; amending s. 499.01, F.S.; authorizing certain
124business entities to pay for prescription drugs obtained
125by practitioners licensed under ch. 466, F.S.; amending s.
126624.91, F.S.; revising the membership of the board of
127directors of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation to
128include a member nominated by the Florida Dental
129Association and appointed by the Governor; amending s.
130381.0403, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to the
131program for graduate medical education innovations and the
132graduate medical education committee and report;
133conforming cross-references; amending s. 381.4018, F.S.;
134providing definitions; requiring the Department of Health
135to coordinate and enhance activities regarding the reentry
136of retired military and other physicians into the
137physician workforce; revising the list of governmental
138stakeholders that the department is required to work with
139regarding the state strategic plan and in assessing the
140state's physician workforce; creating the Physician
141Workforce Advisory Council; providing membership of the
142council; providing for appointments to the council;
143providing terms of membership; providing for removal of a
144council member; providing for a chair and vice chair of
145the council; providing that council members are not
146entitled to receive compensation or reimbursement for per
147diem or travel expenses; providing the duties of the
148council; establishing the physician workforce graduate
149medical education innovation pilot projects under the
150department; providing the purposes of the pilot projects;
151providing for the appropriation of state funds for the
152pilot projects; requiring the pilot projects to meet
153certain policy needs of the physician workforce in this
154state; providing criteria for prioritizing proposals for
155pilot projects; requiring the department to adopt by rule
156appropriate performance measures; requiring participating
157pilot projects to submit an annual report to the
158department; requiring state funds to be used to supplement
159funds from other sources; requiring the department to
160adopt rules; amending ss. 458.3192 and 459.0082, F.S.;
161requiring the department to determine by geographic area
162and specialty the number of physicians and osteopathic
163physicians who plan to relocate outside the state,
164practice medicine in this state, and reduce or modify the
165scope of their practice; authorizing the department to
166report additional information in its findings to the
167Governor and the Legislature; amending s. 458.315, F.S.;
168revising the standards for the Board of Medicine to issue
169a temporary certificate to a certain physicians to
170practice medicine in areas of critical need; authorizing
171the State Surgeon General to designate areas of critical
172need; creating s. 459.0076, F.S.; authorizing the Board of
173Osteopathic Medicine to issue temporary certificates to
174osteopathic physicians who meet certain requirements to
175practice osteopathic medicine in areas of critical need;
176providing restrictions for issuance of a temporary
177certificate; authorizing the State Surgeon General to
178designate areas of critical need; authorizing the Board of
179Osteopathic Medicine to waive the application fee and
180licensure fees for obtaining temporary certificates for
181certain purposes; providing an effective date.
182
183Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
184
185 Section 1. Paragraph (e) of subsection (10) of section
186112.0455, Florida Statutes, is repealed, and paragraph (e) of
187subsection (14) of that section is amended to read:
188 112.0455 Drug-Free Workplace Act.-
189 (14) DISCIPLINE REMEDIES.-
190 (e) Upon resolving an appeal filed pursuant to paragraph
191(c), and finding a violation of this section, the commission may
192order the following relief:
193 1. Rescind the disciplinary action, expunge related
194records from the personnel file of the employee or job applicant
195and reinstate the employee.
196 2. Order compliance with paragraph (10)(f)(g).
197 3. Award back pay and benefits.
198 4. Award the prevailing employee or job applicant the
199necessary costs of the appeal, reasonable attorney's fees, and
200expert witness fees.
201 Section 2. Subsection (3) is added to section 381.00315,
202Florida Statutes, to read:
203 381.00315 Public health advisories; public health
204emergencies.-The State Health Officer is responsible for
205declaring public health emergencies and issuing public health
206advisories.
207 (3) To facilitate effective emergency management, when the
208United States Department of Health and Human Services contracts
209for the manufacture and delivery of licensable products in
210response to a public health emergency and the terms of those
211contracts are made available to the states, the department shall
212accept funds provided by cities, counties, and other entities
213designated in the state emergency management plan required under
214s. 252.35(2)(a) for the purpose of participation in those
215contracts. The department shall deposit those funds in the
216Grants and Donations Trust Fund and expend those funds on behalf
217of the donor city, county, or other entity for the purchase of
218the licensable products made available under the contract.
219 Section 3. Section 383.325, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
220 Section 4. Subsection (20) is added to section 395.0197,
221Florida Statutes, to read:
222 395.0197 Internal risk management program.-
223 (20) A hospital's implementation of a comprehensive plan
224to reduce health care-associated infections before a patient
225becomes infected constitutes a rebuttable presumption against a
226claim of negligence or malpractice by the hospital or any of its
227employees or independent contractors. Any such plan must include
228the following components:
229 (a) A baseline measurement of health care-associated
230infections in a hospital that uses the National Healthcare
231Safety Network and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
232surveillance definitions and reports the number of infections in
233each category relating to the volume of possible cases in the
234hospital.
235 (b) A goal for reducing the incidence of infections by a
236specific amount in a defined period of time. A hospital's goal
237for reduction of infections must be commensurate with the
238national goal for reducing each type of health care-associated
239infection.
240 (c) An action plan for reducing each type of infection,
241including the use of real-time infection surveillance technology
242or automated infection control or prevention technology.
243 (d) Methods for making information available to patients
244and the public regarding baseline measurements and periodic
245reports on the hospital's progress in improving those measures.
246 Section 5. Section 395.1046, Florida Statutes, is
247repealed.
248 Section 6. Section 395.3037, Florida Statutes, is
249repealed.
250 Section 7. Paragraph (g) of subsection (2) of section
251400.0239, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
252 400.0239 Quality of Long-Term Care Facility Improvement
253Trust Fund.-
254 (2) Expenditures from the trust fund shall be allowable
255for direct support of the following:
256 (g) Other initiatives authorized by the Centers for
257Medicare and Medicaid Services for the use of federal civil
258monetary penalties, including projects recommended through the
259Medicaid "Up-or-Out" Quality of Care Contract Management Program
260pursuant to s. 400.148.
261 Section 8. Subsection (10) of section 400.147, Florida
262Statutes, is repealed.
263 Section 9. Section 400.148, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
264 Section 10. Section 400.195, Florida Statutes, is
265repealed.
266 Section 11. Section 400.476, Florida Statutes, is amended
267to read:
268 400.476 Staffing requirements; notifications; limitations
269on staffing services.-
270 (1) ADMINISTRATOR.-
271 (a) An administrator may manage only one home health
272agency, except that an administrator may manage up to five home
273health agencies if all five home health agencies have identical
274controlling interests as defined in s. 408.803 and are located
275within one agency geographic service area or within an
276immediately contiguous county. If the home health agency is
277licensed under this chapter and is part of a retirement
278community that provides multiple levels of care, an employee of
279the retirement community may administer the home health agency
280and up to a maximum of four entities licensed under this chapter
281or chapter 429 which all have identical controlling interests as
282defined in s. 408.803. An administrator shall designate, in
283writing, for each licensed entity, a qualified alternate
284administrator to serve during the administrator's absence. An
285alternate administrator must meet the requirements in this
286paragraph and s. 400.462(1).
287 (b) An administrator of a home health agency who is a
288licensed physician, physician assistant, or registered nurse
289licensed to practice in this state may also be the director of
290nursing for a home health agency. An administrator may serve as
291a director of nursing for up to the number of entities
292authorized in subsection (2) only if there are 10 or fewer full-
293time equivalent employees and contracted personnel in each home
294health agency.
295 (c) The administrator shall organize and direct the
296agency's ongoing functions, maintain an ongoing liaison with the
297board members and the staff, employ qualified personnel and
298ensure adequate staff education and evaluations, ensure the
299accuracy of public informational materials and activities,
300implement an effective budgeting and accounting system, and
301ensure that the home health agency operates in compliance with
302this part and part II of chapter 408 and rules adopted for these
303laws.
304 (d) The administrator shall clearly set forth in writing
305the organizational chart, services furnished, administrative
306control authority, and lines of authority for the delegation of
307responsibilities for patient care. These responsibilities must
308be readily identifiable. Administrative and supervisory
309functions may not be delegated to another agency or
310organization, and the primary home health agency shall monitor
311and control all services that are not furnished directly,
312including services provided through contracts.
313 (2) DIRECTOR OF NURSING.-
314 (a) A director of nursing may be the director of nursing
315for:
316 1. Up to two licensed home health agencies if the agencies
317have identical controlling interests as defined in s. 408.803
318and are located within one agency geographic service area or
319within an immediately contiguous county; or
320 2. Up to five licensed home health agencies if:
321 a. All of the home health agencies have identical
322controlling interests as defined in s. 408.803;
323 b. All of the home health agencies are located within one
324agency geographic service area or within an immediately
325contiguous county; and
326 c. Each home health agency has a registered nurse who
327meets the qualifications of a director of nursing and who has a
328written delegation from the director of nursing to serve as the
329director of nursing for that home health agency when the
330director of nursing is not present; and.
331 d. This person, or a similarly qualified alternate, is
332available at all times during operating hours and participates
333in all activities relevant to the professional services
334furnished, including, but not limited to, the oversight of
335nursing services, home health aides, and certified nursing
336assistants and the assignment of personnel.
337
338If a home health agency licensed under this chapter is part of a
339retirement community that provides multiple levels of care, an
340employee of the retirement community may serve as the director
341of nursing of the home health agency and up to a maximum of four
342entities, other than home health agencies, licensed under this
343chapter or chapter 429 which all have identical controlling
344interests as defined in s. 408.803.
345 (b) A home health agency that provides skilled nursing
346care may not operate for more than 30 calendar days without a
347director of nursing. A home health agency that provides skilled
348nursing care and the director of nursing of a home health agency
349must notify the agency within 10 business days after termination
350of the services of the director of nursing for the home health
351agency. A home health agency that provides skilled nursing care
352must notify the agency of the identity and qualifications of the
353new director of nursing within 10 days after the new director is
354hired. If a home health agency that provides skilled nursing
355care operates for more than 30 calendar days without a director
356of nursing, the home health agency commits a class II
357deficiency. In addition to the fine for a class II deficiency,
358the agency may issue a moratorium in accordance with s. 408.814
359or revoke the license. The agency shall fine a home health
360agency that fails to notify the agency as required in this
361paragraph $1,000 for the first violation and $2,000 for a repeat
362violation. The agency may not take administrative action against
363a home health agency if the director of nursing fails to notify
364the department upon termination of services as the director of
365nursing for the home health agency.
366 (c) A home health agency that is not Medicare or Medicaid
367certified and does not provide skilled care or provides only
368physical, occupational, or speech therapy is not required to
369have a director of nursing and is exempt from paragraph (b).
370 (3) TRAINING.-A home health agency shall ensure that each
371certified nursing assistant employed by or under contract with
372the home health agency and each home health aide employed by or
373under contract with the home health agency is adequately trained
374to perform the tasks of a home health aide in the home setting.
375 (a) The home health agency may not use as a home health
376aide on a full-time, temporary, per diem, or other basis any
377individual to provide services unless the individual has
378completed a training and competency evaluation program, or a
379competency evaluation program, as permitted in s. 400.497, which
380meets the minimum standards established by the agency in state
381rules.
382 (b) A home health aide is not competent in any task for
383which he or she is evaluated as "unsatisfactory." The aide must
384perform any such task only under direct supervision by a
385licensed nurse until he or she receives training in the task and
386satisfactorily passes a subsequent evaluation in performing the
387task. A home health aide has not successfully passed a
388competency evaluation if the aide does not have a passing score
389on the test as specified by agency rule.
390 (4) STAFFING.-Staffing services may be provided anywhere
391within the state.
392 (5) PERSONNEL.-
393 (a) The home health agency and its staff must comply with
394accepted professional standards and principles that apply to
395professionals, including, but not limited to, the state practice
396acts and the home health agency's policies and procedures.
397 (b) If personnel under hourly or per-visit contracts are
398used by the home health agency, there must be a written contract
399between those personnel and the agency which specifies the
400following requirements:
401 1. Acceptance for care only of patients by the primary
402home health agency.
403 2. The services to be furnished.
404 3. The necessity to conform to all applicable agency
405policies, including personnel qualifications.
406 4. The responsibility for participating in developing
407plans of care.
408 5. The manner in which services are controlled,
409coordinated, and evaluated by the primary home health agency.
410 6. The procedures for submitting clinical and progress
411notes, scheduling visits, and providing periodic patient
412evaluations.
413 7. The procedures for payment for services furnished under
414the contract.
415 (c) A home health agency shall directly provide at least
416one of the types of authorized services through home health
417agency employees, but may provide additional services under
418arrangements with another agency or organization. Services
419furnished under such arrangements must have a written contract
420conforming to the requirements specified in paragraph (b).
421 (d) If home health aide services are provided by an
422individual who is not employed directly by the home health
423agency, the services of the home health aide must be provided
424under arrangements as stated in paragraphs (b) and (c). If the
425home health agency chooses to provide home health aide services
426under arrangements with another organization, the
427responsibilities of the home health agency include, but are not
428limited to:
429 1. Ensuring the overall quality of the care provided by
430the aide.
431 2. Supervising the aide's services as described in s.
432400.487.
433 3. Ensuring that each home health aide providing services
434under arrangements with another organization has met the
435training requirements or competency evaluation requirements of
436s. 400.497.
437 (e) The home health agency shall coordinate the efforts of
438all personnel furnishing services, and the personnel shall
439maintain communication with the home health agency to ensure
440that personnel efforts support the objectives outlined in the
441plan of care. The clinical record or minutes of case conferences
442shall ensure that effective interchange, reporting, and
443coordination of patient care occurs.
444 Section 12. Section 400.487, Florida Statutes, is amended
445to read:
446 400.487 Home health service agreements; physician's,
447physician assistant's, and advanced registered nurse
448practitioner's treatment orders; patient assessment;
449establishment and review of plan of care; provision of services;
450orders not to resuscitate.-
451 (1) Services provided by a home health agency must be
452covered by an agreement between the home health agency and the
453patient or the patient's legal representative specifying the
454home health services to be provided, the rates or charges for
455services paid with private funds, and the sources of payment,
456which may include Medicare, Medicaid, private insurance,
457personal funds, or a combination thereof. The home health agency
458shall provide a copy of the agreement to the patient or the
459patient's legal representative. A home health agency providing
460skilled care must make an assessment of the patient's needs
461within 48 hours after the start of services.
462 (2) When required by the provisions of chapter 464; part
463I, part III, or part V of chapter 468; or chapter 486, the
464attending physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered
465nurse practitioner, acting within his or her respective scope of
466practice, shall establish treatment orders for a patient who is
467to receive skilled care. The treatment orders must be signed by
468the physician, physician assistant, or advanced registered nurse
469practitioner before a claim for payment for the skilled services
470is submitted by the home health agency. If the claim is
471submitted to a managed care organization, the treatment orders
472must be signed within the time allowed under the provider
473agreement. The treatment orders shall be reviewed, as frequently
474as the patient's illness requires, by the physician, physician
475assistant, or advanced registered nurse practitioner in
476consultation with the home health agency.
477 (3) A home health agency shall arrange for supervisory
478visits by a registered nurse to the home of a patient receiving
479home health aide services as specified in subsection (9) in
480accordance with the patient's direction, approval, and agreement
481to pay the charge for the visits.
482 (4) The home health agency shall protect and promote the
483rights of each individual under its care, including each of the
484following rights:
485 (a) Notice of rights.-The home health agency shall provide
486the patient with a written notice of the patient's rights in
487advance of furnishing care to the patient or during the initial
488evaluation visit before the initiation of treatment. The home
489health agency must maintain documentation showing that it has
490complied with the requirements of this section.
491 (b) Exercise of rights and respect for property and
492person.-
493 1. The patient has the right to exercise his or her rights
494as a patient of the home health agency.
495 2. The patient has the right to have his or her property
496treated with respect.
497 3. The patient has the right to voice grievances regarding
498treatment or care that is or fails to be furnished, or regarding
499the lack of respect for property by anyone who is furnishing
500services on behalf of the home health agency, and not be
501subjected to discrimination or reprisal for doing so.
502 4. The home health agency must investigate complaints made
503by a patient or the patient's family or guardian regarding
504treatment or care that is or fails to be furnished or regarding
505the lack of respect for the patient's property by anyone
506furnishing services on behalf of the home health agency. The
507home health agency shall document the existence of the complaint
508and its resolution.
509 5. The patient and his or her immediate family or
510representative must be informed of the right to report
511complaints via the statewide toll-free telephone number to the
512agency as required in s. 408.810.
513 (c) Right to be informed and to participate in planning
514care and treatment.-
515 1. The patient has the right to be informed, in advance,
516about the care to be furnished and of any changes in the care to
517be furnished. The home health agency shall advise the patient in
518advance of which disciplines will furnish care and the frequency
519of visits proposed to be furnished. The home health agency must
520advise the patient in advance of any change in the plan of care
521before the change is made.
522 2. The patient has the right to participate in the
523planning of the care. The home health agency must advise the
524patient in advance of the right to participate in planning the
525care or treatment and in planning changes in the care or
526treatment. Each patient has the right to be informed of and to
527participate in the planning of his or her care. Each patient
528must be provided, upon request, a copy of the plan of care
529established and maintained for that patient by the home health
530agency.
531 (5) When nursing services are ordered, the home health
532agency to which a patient has been admitted for care must
533provide the initial admission visit, all service evaluation
534visits, and the discharge visit by a direct employee. Services
535provided by others under contractual arrangements to a home
536health agency must be monitored and managed by the admitting
537home health agency. The admitting home health agency is fully
538responsible for ensuring that all care provided through its
539employees or contract staff is delivered in accordance with this
540part and applicable rules.
541 (6) The skilled care services provided by a home health
542agency, directly or under contract, must be supervised and
543coordinated in accordance with the plan of care. The home health
544agency shall furnish skilled nursing services by or under the
545supervision of a registered nurse and in accordance with the
546plan of care. Any therapy services offered directly or under
547arrangement by the home health agency must be provided by a
548qualified therapist or by a qualified therapy assistant under
549the supervision of a qualified therapist and in accordance with
550the plan of care.
551 (a) Duties and qualifications.-A qualified therapist shall
552assist the physician in evaluating the level of function, help
553develop or revise the plan of care, prepare clinical and
554progress notes, advise and consult with the family and other
555agency personnel, and participate in in-service programs. The
556therapist or therapy assistant must meet the qualifications in
557the state practice acts and applicable rules.
558 (b) Physical therapist assistants and occupational therapy
559assistants.-Services provided by a physical therapist assistant
560or occupational therapy assistant must be under the supervision
561of a qualified physical therapist or occupational therapist as
562required in chapter 486 and part III of chapter 468,
563respectively, and applicable rules. A physical therapist
564assistant or occupational therapy assistant shall perform
565services planned, delegated, and supervised by the therapist,
566assist in preparing clinical notes and progress reports,
567participate in educating the patient and his or her family, and
568participate in in-service programs.
569 (c) Speech therapy services.-Speech therapy services shall
570be furnished only by or under supervision of a qualified speech-
571language pathologist or audiologist as required in part I of
572chapter 468 and applicable rules.
573 (d) Care follows a written plan of care.-The plan of care
574shall be reviewed by the physician or health professional who
575provided the treatment orders pursuant to subsection (2) and
576home health agency personnel as often as the severity of the
577patient's condition requires, but at least once every 60 days or
578more when there is a patient-elected transfer, a significant
579change in condition, or a discharge and return to the same home
580health agency during the 60-day episode. Professional staff of a
581home health agency shall promptly alert the physician or other
582health professional who provided the treatment orders of any
583change that suggests a need to alter the plan of care.
584 (e) Administration of drugs and treatment.-Only
585professional staff of a home health agency may administer drugs
586and treatments as ordered by the physician or health
587professional pursuant to subsection (2), with the exception of
588influenza and pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccines, which may be
589administered according to the policy of the home health agency
590developed in consultation with a physician and after an
591assessment for contraindications. Verbal orders shall be in
592writing and signed and dated with the date of receipt by the
593registered nurse or qualified therapist who is responsible for
594furnishing or supervising the ordered service. A verbal order
595may be accepted only by personnel who are authorized to do so by
596applicable state laws, rules, and internal policies of the home
597health agency.
598 (7) A registered nurse shall conduct the initial
599evaluation visit, regularly reevaluate the patient's nursing
600needs, initiate the plan of care and necessary revisions,
601furnish those services requiring substantial and specialized
602nursing skill, initiate appropriate preventive and
603rehabilitative nursing procedures, prepare clinical and progress
604notes, coordinate services, inform the physician and other
605personnel of changes in the patient's condition and needs,
606counsel the patient and his or her family in meeting nursing and
607related needs, participate in in-service programs, and supervise
608and teach other nursing personnel, unless the home health agency
609providing the home health aide services is not Medicare-
610certified or Medicaid-certified and does not provide skilled
611care.
612 (8) A licensed practical nurse shall furnish services in
613accordance with agency policies, prepare clinical and progress
614notes, assist the physician and registered nurse in performing
615specialized procedures, prepare equipment and materials for
616treatments observing aseptic technique as required, and assist
617the patient in learning appropriate self-care techniques.
618 (9) A home health aide and certified nursing assistant
619shall provide services that are in the service provision plan
620provided in s. 400.491 and other services that the home health
621aide or certified nursing assistant is permitted to perform
622under state law. The duties of a home health aide or certified
623nursing assistant include the provision of hands-on personal
624care, performance of simple procedures as an extension of
625therapy or nursing services, assistance in ambulation or
626exercises, and assistance in administering medications that are
627ordinarily self-administered and are specified in agency rules.
628Any services by a home health aide which are offered by a home
629health agency must be provided by a qualified home health aide
630or certified nursing assistant.
631 (a) Assignment and duties.-A home health aide or certified
632nursing assistant shall be assigned to a specific patient by a
633registered nurse, unless the home health agency providing the
634home health aide services is not Medicare-certified or Medicaid-
635certified and does not provide skilled care. Written patient
636care instructions for the home health aide and certified nursing
637assistant must be prepared by the registered nurse or other
638appropriate professional who is responsible for the supervision
639of the home health aide and certified nursing assistant as
640stated in this section.
641 (b) Supervision.-If a patient receives skilled nursing
642care, the registered nurse shall perform the supervisory visit.
643If the patient is not receiving skilled nursing care but is
644receiving physical therapy, occupational therapy, or speech-
645language pathology services, the appropriate therapist may
646provide the supervision. A registered nurse or other
647professional must make an onsite visit to the patient's home at
648least once every 2 weeks. The visit is not required while the
649aide is providing care.
650 (c) Supervisory visits.-If home health aide services are
651provided to a patient who is not receiving skilled nursing care,
652physical or occupational therapy, or speech-language pathology
653services, a registered nurse must make a supervisory visit to
654the patient's home at least once every 60 days, unless the home
655health agency providing the home health aide services is not
656Medicare-certified or Medicaid-certified and does not provide
657skilled care, either directly or through contracts. The
658registered nurse shall ensure that the aide is properly caring
659for the patient and each supervisory visit must occur while the
660home health aide is providing patient care. In addition to the
661requirements in this subsection, a home health agency shall
662arrange for additional supervisory visits by a registered nurse
663to the home of a patient receiving home health aide services in
664accordance with the patient's direction, approval, and agreement
665to pay the charge for the visits.
666 (10)(7) Home health agency personnel may withhold or
667withdraw cardiopulmonary resuscitation if presented with an
668order not to resuscitate executed pursuant to s. 401.45. The
669agency shall adopt rules providing for the implementation of
670such orders. Home health personnel and agencies shall not be
671subject to criminal prosecution or civil liability, nor be
672considered to have engaged in negligent or unprofessional
673conduct, for withholding or withdrawing cardiopulmonary
674resuscitation pursuant to such an order and rules adopted by the
675agency.
676 Section 13. Subsection (11) of section 408.802, Florida
677Statutes, is repealed.
678 Section 14. Paragraphs (e), (f), and (g) of subsection
679(15) of section 409.912, Florida Statutes, are repealed.
680 Section 15. Subsection (13) of section 409.9122, Florida
681Statutes, is repealed.
682 Section 16. Section 409.91255, Florida Statutes, is
683amended to read:
684 409.91255 Federally qualified health center access
685program.-
686 (1) SHORT TITLE.-This section may be cited as the
687"Community Health Center Access Program Act."
688 (2) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.-
689 (a) The Legislature finds that, despite significant
690investments in health care programs, nearly 6 more than 2
691million low-income Floridians, primarily the working poor and
692minority populations, continue to lack access to basic health
693care services. Further, the Legislature recognizes that
694federally qualified health centers have a proven record of
695providing cost-effective, comprehensive primary and preventive
696health care and are uniquely qualified to address the lack of
697adequate health care services for the uninsured.
698 (b) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize the
699significance of increased federal investments in federally
700qualified health centers and to leverage that investment through
701the creation of a program to provide for the expansion of the
702primary and preventive health care services offered by federally
703qualified health centers. Further, such a program will support
704the coordination of federal, state, and local resources to
705assist such health centers in developing an expanded community-
706based primary care delivery system.
707 (3) ASSISTANCE TO FEDERALLY QUALIFIED HEALTH CENTERS.-The
708agency shall administer Department of Health shall develop a
709program for the expansion of federally qualified health centers
710for the purpose of providing comprehensive primary and
711preventive health care and urgent care services that may reduce
712the morbidity, mortality, and cost of care among the uninsured
713population of the state. The program shall provide for
714distribution of financial assistance to federally qualified
715health centers that apply and demonstrate a need for such
716assistance in order to sustain or expand the delivery of primary
717and preventive health care services. In selecting centers to
718receive this financial assistance, the program:
719 (a) Shall give preference to communities that have few or
720no community-based primary care services or in which the current
721services are unable to meet the community's needs. To assist in
722the assessment and identification of areas of critical need, a
723federally qualified health-center-based statewide assessment and
724strategic plan shall be developed by the Florida Association of
725Community Health Centers, Inc., every 5 years, beginning January
7261, 2011.
727 (b) Shall require that primary care services be provided
728to the medically indigent using a sliding fee schedule based on
729income.
730 (c) Shall promote allow innovative and creative uses of
731federal, state, and local health care resources.
732 (d) Shall require that the funds provided be used to pay
733for operating costs of a projected expansion in patient
734caseloads or services or for capital improvement projects.
735Capital improvement projects may include renovations to existing
736facilities or construction of new facilities, provided that an
737expansion in patient caseloads or services to a new patient
738population will occur as a result of the capital expenditures.
739The agency department shall include in its standard contract
740document a requirement that any state funds provided for the
741purchase of or improvements to real property are contingent upon
742the contractor granting to the state a security interest in the
743property at least to the amount of the state funds provided for
744at least 5 years from the date of purchase or the completion of
745the improvements or as further required by law. The contract
746must include a provision that, as a condition of receipt of
747state funding for this purpose, the contractor agrees that, if
748it disposes of the property before the agency's department's
749interest is vacated, the contractor will refund the
750proportionate share of the state's initial investment, as
751adjusted by depreciation.
752 (e) Shall May require in-kind support from other sources.
753 (f) Shall promote May encourage coordination among
754federally qualified health centers, other private sector
755providers, and publicly supported programs.
756 (g) Shall promote allow the development of community
757emergency room diversion programs in conjunction with local
758resources, providing extended hours of operation to urgent care
759patients. Diversion programs shall include case management for
760emergency room followup care.
761 (4) EVALUATION OF APPLICATIONS.-A review panel shall be
762established, consisting of four persons appointed by the
763Secretary of Health Care Administration State Surgeon General
764and three persons appointed by the chief executive officer of
765the Florida Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., to
766review all applications for financial assistance under the
767program. Applicants shall specify in the application whether the
768program funds will be used for the expansion of patient
769caseloads or services or for capital improvement projects to
770expand and improve patient facilities. The panel shall use the
771following elements in reviewing application proposals and shall
772determine the relative weight for scoring and evaluating these
773elements:
774 (a) The target population to be served.
775 (b) The health benefits to be provided.
776 (c) The methods that will be used to measure cost-
777effectiveness.
778 (d) How patient satisfaction will be measured.
779 (e) The proposed internal quality assurance process.
780 (f) Projected health status outcomes.
781 (g) How data will be collected to measure cost-
782effectiveness, health status outcomes, and overall achievement
783of the goals of the proposal.
784 (h) All resources, including cash, in-kind, voluntary, or
785other resources that will be dedicated to the proposal.
786 (5) ADMINISTRATION AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.-The agency
787shall Department of Health may contract with the Florida
788Association of Community Health Centers, Inc., to develop and
789coordinate administer the program and provide technical
790assistance to the federally qualified health centers selected to
791receive financial assistance. The contracted entity shall be
792responsible for program support and assume all costs related to
793administration of this program.
794 Section 17. Subsection (2) of section 429.12, Florida
795Statutes, is repealed.
796 Section 18. Subsection (5) of section 429.23, Florida
797Statutes, is repealed.
798 Section 19. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
799429.911, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
800 Section 20. Dental workforce survey.-
801 (1) Beginning in 2012, each person who applies for
802licensure renewal as a dentist or dental hygienist under chapter
803466, Florida Statutes, must, in conjunction with the renewal of
804such license under procedures and forms adopted by the Board of
805Dentistry and in addition to any other information that may be
806required from the applicant, furnish the following information
807to the Department of Health, working in conjunction with the
808board, in a dental workforce survey:
809 (a) Licensee information, including, but not limited to:
810 1. The name of the dental school or dental hygiene program
811that the dentist or dental hygienist graduated from and the year
812of graduation.
813 2. The year that the dentist or dental hygienist began
814practicing or working in this state.
815 3. The geographic location of the dentist's or dental
816hygienist's practice or address within the state.
817 4. For a dentist in private practice:
818 a. The number of full-time dental hygienists employed by
819the dentist during the reporting period.
820 b. The number of full-time dental assistants employed by
821the dentist during the reporting period.
822 c. The average number of patients treated per week by the
823dentist during the reporting period.
824 d. The settings where the dental care was delivered.
825 5. Anticipated plans of the dentist to change the status
826of his or her license or practice.
827 6. The dentist's areas of specialty or certification.
828 7. The year that the dentist completed a specialty program
829recognized by the American Dental Association.
830 8. For a hygienist:
831 a. The average number of patients treated per week by the
832hygienist during the reporting period.
833 b. The settings where the dental care was delivered.
834 9. The dentist's memberships in professional
835organizations.
836 10. The number of pro bono hours provided by the dentist
837or dental hygienist during the last biennium.
838 (b) Information concerning the availability and trends
839relating to critically needed services, including, but not
840limited to, the following types of care provided by the dentist
841or dental hygienist:
842 1. Dental care to children having special needs.
843 2. Geriatric dental care.
844 3. Dental services in emergency departments.
845 4. Medicaid services.
846 5. Other critically needed specialty areas, as determined
847by the advisory body.
848 (2) In addition to the completed survey, the dentist or
849dental hygienist must submit a statement that the information
850provided is true and accurate to the best of his or her
851knowledge and belief.
852 (3) Beginning in 2012, renewal of a license by a dentist
853or dental hygienist licensed under chapter 466, Florida
854Statutes, is not contingent upon the completion and submission
855of the dental workforce survey; however, for any subsequent
856license renewal, the board may not renew the license of any
857dentist or dental hygienist until the survey required under this
858section is completed and submitted by the licensee.
859 (4)(a) Beginning in 2012, the Board of Dentistry shall
860issue a nondisciplinary citation to any dentist or dental
861hygienist licensed under chapter 466, Florida Statutes, who
862fails to complete the survey within 90 days after the renewal of
863his or her license to practice as a dentist or dental hygienist.
864 (b) The citation must notify a dentist or dental hygienist
865who fails to complete the survey required by this section that
866his or her license will not be renewed for any subsequent
867license renewal unless the dentist or dental hygienist completes
868the survey.
869 (c) In conjunction with issuing the license renewal notice
870required by s. 456.038, Florida Statutes, the board shall notify
871each dentist or dental hygienist licensed under chapter 466,
872Florida Statutes, who fails to complete the survey that the
873survey must be completed before the subsequent license renewal.
874 Section 21. (1) The Department of Health shall serve as
875the coordinating body for the purpose of collecting and
876regularly updating and disseminating dental workforce data. The
877department shall work with multiple stakeholders, including the
878Florida Dental Association and the Florida Dental Hygiene
879Association, to assess and share with all communities of
880interest all data collected in a timely fashion.
881 (2) The Department of Health shall maintain a current
882database to serve as a statewide source of data concerning the
883dental workforce. The department, in conjunction with the Board
884of Dentistry, shall also:
885 (a) Develop strategies to maximize federal and state
886programs that provide incentives for dentists to practice in
887shortage areas that are federally designated. Strategies shall
888include programs such as the Florida Health Services Corps
889established under s. 381.0302, Florida Statutes.
890 (b) Work in conjunction with an advisory body to address
891matters relating to the state's dental workforce. The advisory
892body shall provide input on developing questions for the dentist
893workforce survey. The advisory body shall include, but need not
894be limited to, the State Surgeon General or his or her designee,
895the dean of each dental school accredited in the United States
896and based in this state or his or her designee, a representative
897from the Florida Dental Association, a representative from the
898Florida Dental Hygiene Association, a representative from the
899Board of Dentistry, and a dentist from each of the dental
900specialties recognized by the American Dental Association's
901Commission on Dental Accreditation. Members of the advisory body
902shall serve without compensation.
903 (c) Act as a clearinghouse for collecting and
904disseminating information concerning the dental workforce.
905 (3) The Department of Health and the Board of Dentistry
906shall adopt rules necessary to administer this section.
907 Section 22. It is the intent of the Legislature that the
908Department of Health and the Board of Dentistry implement the
909provisions of sections 16 through 20 of this act within existing
910resources.
911 Section 23. Paragraph (t) of subsection (2) of section
912499.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
913 499.01 Permits.-
914 (2) The following permits are established:
915 (t) Health care clinic establishment permit.-Effective
916January 1, 2009, a health care clinic establishment permit is
917required for the purchase of a prescription drug by a place of
918business at one general physical location that provides health
919care or veterinary services, which is owned and operated by a
920business entity that has been issued a federal employer tax
921identification number. For the purpose of this paragraph, the
922term "qualifying practitioner" means a licensed health care
923practitioner defined in s. 456.001, or a veterinarian licensed
924under chapter 474, who is authorized under the appropriate
925practice act to prescribe and administer a prescription drug.
926 1. An establishment must provide, as part of the
927application required under s. 499.012, designation of a
928qualifying practitioner who will be responsible for complying
929with all legal and regulatory requirements related to the
930purchase, recordkeeping, storage, and handling of the
931prescription drugs. In addition, the designated qualifying
932practitioner shall be the practitioner whose name, establishment
933address, and license number is used on all distribution
934documents for prescription drugs purchased or returned by the
935health care clinic establishment. Upon initial appointment of a
936qualifying practitioner, the qualifying practitioner and the
937health care clinic establishment shall notify the department on
938a form furnished by the department within 10 days after such
939employment. In addition, the qualifying practitioner and health
940care clinic establishment shall notify the department within 10
941days after any subsequent change.
942 2. The health care clinic establishment must employ a
943qualifying practitioner at each establishment.
944 3. In addition to the remedies and penalties provided in
945this part, a violation of this chapter by the health care clinic
946establishment or qualifying practitioner constitutes grounds for
947discipline of the qualifying practitioner by the appropriate
948regulatory board.
949 4. The purchase of prescription drugs by the health care
950clinic establishment is prohibited during any period of time
951when the establishment does not comply with this paragraph.
952 5. A health care clinic establishment permit is not a
953pharmacy permit or otherwise subject to chapter 465. A health
954care clinic establishment that meets the criteria of a modified
955Class II institutional pharmacy under s. 465.019 is not eligible
956to be permitted under this paragraph.
957 6. This paragraph does not apply to the purchase of a
958prescription drug by a licensed practitioner under his or her
959license. A professional corporation or limited liability company
960composed of dentists and operating as authorized in s. 466.0285
961may pay for prescription drugs obtained by a practitioner
962licensed under chapter 466, and the licensed practitioner is
963deemed the purchaser and owner of the prescription drugs.
964 Section 24. Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section
965624.91, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
966 624.91 The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation Act.-
967 (6) BOARD OF DIRECTORS.-
968 (a) The Florida Healthy Kids Corporation shall operate
969subject to the supervision and approval of a board of directors
970chaired by the Chief Financial Officer or her or his designee,
971and composed of 12 11 other members selected for 3-year terms of
972office as follows:
973 1. The Secretary of Health Care Administration, or his or
974her designee.
975 2. One member appointed by the Commissioner of Education
976from the Office of School Health Programs of the Florida
977Department of Education.
978 3. One member appointed by the Chief Financial Officer
979from among three members nominated by the Florida Pediatric
980Society.
981 4. One member, appointed by the Governor, who represents
982the Children's Medical Services Program.
983 5. One member appointed by the Chief Financial Officer
984from among three members nominated by the Florida Hospital
985Association.
986 6. One member, appointed by the Governor, who is an expert
987on child health policy.
988 7. One member, appointed by the Chief Financial Officer,
989from among three members nominated by the Florida Academy of
990Family Physicians.
991 8. One member, appointed by the Governor, who represents
992the state Medicaid program.
993 9. One member, appointed by the Chief Financial Officer,
994from among three members nominated by the Florida Association of
995Counties.
996 10. The State Health Officer or her or his designee.
997 11. The Secretary of Children and Family Services, or his
998or her designee.
999 12. One member, appointed by the Governor, from among
1000three members nominated by the Florida Dental Association.
1001 Section 25. Section 381.0403, Florida Statutes, is amended
1002to read:
1003 381.0403 The Community Hospital Education Act.-
1004 (1) SHORT TITLE.-This section shall be known and cited as
1005"The Community Hospital Education Act."
1006 (2) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.-
1007 (a) It is the intent of the Legislature that health care
1008services for the citizens of this state be upgraded and that a
1009program for continuing these services be maintained through a
1010plan for community medical education. The program is intended to
1011provide additional outpatient and inpatient services, a
1012continuing supply of highly trained physicians, and graduate
1013medical education.
1014 (b) The Legislature further acknowledges the critical need
1015for increased numbers of primary care physicians to provide the
1016necessary current and projected health and medical services. In
1017order to meet both present and anticipated needs, the
1018Legislature supports an expansion in the number of family
1019practice residency positions. The Legislature intends that the
1020funding for graduate education in family practice be maintained
1021and that funding for all primary care specialties be provided at
1022a minimum of $10,000 per resident per year. Should funding for
1023this act remain constant or be reduced, it is intended that all
1024programs funded by this act be maintained or reduced
1025proportionately.
1026 (3) PROGRAM FOR COMMUNITY HOSPITAL EDUCATION; STATE AND
1027LOCAL PLANNING.-
1028 (a) There is established under the Department of Health a
1029program for statewide graduate medical education. It is intended
1030that continuing graduate medical education programs for interns
1031and residents be established on a statewide basis. The program
1032shall provide financial support for primary care specialty
1033interns and residents based on policies recommended and approved
1034by the Community Hospital Education Council, herein established,
1035and the Department of Health. Only those programs with at least
1036three residents or interns in each year of the training program
1037are qualified to apply for financial support. Programs with
1038fewer than three residents or interns per training year are
1039qualified to apply for financial support, but only if the
1040appropriate accrediting entity for the particular specialty has
1041approved the program for fewer positions. Programs added after
1042fiscal year 1997-1998 shall have 5 years to attain the requisite
1043number of residents or interns. When feasible and to the extent
1044allowed through the General Appropriations Act, state funds
1045shall be used to generate federal matching funds under Medicaid,
1046or other federal programs, and the resulting combined state and
1047federal funds shall be allocated to participating hospitals for
1048the support of graduate medical education. The department may
1049spend up to $75,000 of the state appropriation for
1050administrative costs associated with the production of the
1051annual report as specified in subsection (9), and for
1052administration of the program.
1053 (b) For the purposes of this section, primary care
1054specialties include emergency medicine, family practice,
1055internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry,
1056obstetrics/gynecology, and combined pediatrics and internal
1057medicine, and other primary care specialties as may be included
1058by the council and Department of Health.
1059 (c) Medical institutions throughout the state may apply to
1060the Community Hospital Education Council for grants-in-aid for
1061financial support of their approved programs. Recommendations
1062for funding of approved programs shall be forwarded to the
1063Department of Health.
1064 (d) The program shall provide a plan for community
1065clinical teaching and training with the cooperation of the
1066medical profession, hospitals, and clinics. The plan shall also
1067include formal teaching opportunities for intern and resident
1068training. In addition, the plan shall establish an off-campus
1069medical faculty with university faculty review to be located
1070throughout the state in local communities.
1071 (4) PROGRAM FOR GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION INNOVATIONS.-
1072 (a) There is established under the Department of Health a
1073program for fostering graduate medical education innovations.
1074Funds appropriated annually by the Legislature for this purpose
1075shall be distributed to participating hospitals or consortia of
1076participating hospitals and Florida medical schools or to a
1077Florida medical school for the direct costs of providing
1078graduate medical education in community-based clinical settings
1079on a competitive grant or formula basis to achieve state health
1080care workforce policy objectives, including, but not limited to:
1081 1. Increasing the number of residents in primary care and
1082other high demand specialties or fellowships;
1083 2. Enhancing retention of primary care physicians in
1084Florida practice;
1085 3. Promoting practice in medically underserved areas of
1086the state;
1087 4. Encouraging racial and ethnic diversity within the
1088state's physician workforce; and
1089 5. Encouraging increased production of geriatricians.
1090 (b) Participating hospitals or consortia of participating
1091hospitals and Florida medical schools or a Florida medical
1092school providing graduate medical education in community-based
1093clinical settings may apply to the Community Hospital Education
1094Council for funding under this innovations program, except when
1095such innovations directly compete with services or programs
1096provided by participating hospitals or consortia of
1097participating hospitals, or by both hospitals and consortia.
1098Innovations program funding shall provide funding based on
1099policies recommended and approved by the Community Hospital
1100Education Council and the Department of Health.
1101 (c) Participating hospitals or consortia of participating
1102hospitals and Florida medical schools or Florida medical schools
1103awarded an innovations grant shall provide the Community
1104Hospital Education Council and Department of Health with an
1105annual report on their project.
1106 (4)(5) FAMILY PRACTICE RESIDENCIES.-In addition to the
1107programs established in subsection (3), the Community Hospital
1108Education Council and the Department of Health shall establish
1109an ongoing statewide program of family practice residencies. The
1110administration of this program shall be in the manner described
1111in this section.
1112 (5)(6) COUNCIL AND DIRECTOR.-
1113 (a) There is established the Community Hospital Education
1114Council, hereinafter referred to as the council, which shall
1115consist of 11 members, as follows:
1116 1. Seven members must be program directors of accredited
1117graduate medical education programs or practicing physicians who
1118have faculty appointments in accredited graduate medical
1119education programs. Six of these members must be board certified
1120or board eligible in family practice, internal medicine,
1121pediatrics, emergency medicine, obstetrics-gynecology, and
1122psychiatry, respectively, and licensed pursuant to chapter 458.
1123No more than one of these members may be appointed from any one
1124specialty. One member must be licensed pursuant to chapter 459.
1125 2. One member must be a representative of the
1126administration of a hospital with an approved community hospital
1127medical education program;
1128 3. One member must be the dean of a medical school in this
1129state; and
1130 4. Two members must be consumer representatives.
1131
1132All of the members shall be appointed by the Governor for terms
1133of 4 years each.
1134 (b) Council membership shall cease when a member's
1135representative status no longer exists. Members of similar
1136representative status shall be appointed to replace retiring or
1137resigning members of the council.
1138 (c) The State Surgeon General shall designate an
1139administrator to serve as staff director. The council shall
1140elect a chair from among its membership. Such other personnel as
1141may be necessary to carry out the program shall be employed as
1142authorized by the Department of Health.
1143 (6)(7) DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH; STANDARDS.-
1144 (a) The Department of Health, with recommendations from
1145the council, shall establish standards and policies for the use
1146and expenditure of graduate medical education funds appropriated
1147pursuant to subsection (7) (8) for a program of community
1148hospital education. The Department of Health shall establish
1149requirements for hospitals to be qualified for participation in
1150the program which shall include, but not be limited to:
1151 1. Submission of an educational plan and a training
1152schedule.
1153 2. A determination by the council to ascertain that each
1154portion of the program of the hospital provides a high degree of
1155academic excellence and is accredited by the Accreditation
1156Council for Graduate Medical Education of the American Medical
1157Association or is accredited by the American Osteopathic
1158Association.
1159 3. Supervision of the educational program of the hospital
1160by a physician who is not the hospital administrator.
1161 (b) The Department of Health shall periodically review the
1162educational program provided by a participating hospital to
1163assure that the program includes a reasonable amount of both
1164formal and practical training and that the formal sessions are
1165presented as scheduled in the plan submitted by each hospital.
1166 (c) In years that funds are transferred to the Agency for
1167Health Care Administration, the Department of Health shall
1168certify to the Agency for Health Care Administration on a
1169quarterly basis the number of primary care specialty residents
1170and interns at each of the participating hospitals for which the
1171Community Hospital Education Council and the department
1172recommends funding.
1173 (7)(8) MATCHING FUNDS.-State funds shall be used to match
1174funds from any local governmental or hospital source. The state
1175shall provide up to 50 percent of the funds, and the community
1176hospital medical education program shall provide the remainder.
1177However, except for fixed capital outlay, the provisions of this
1178subsection shall not apply to any program authorized under the
1179provisions of subsection (5) for the first 3 years after such
1180program is in operation.
1181 (9) ANNUAL REPORT ON GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION;
1182COMMITTEE.-The Executive Office of the Governor, the Department
1183of Health, and the Agency for Health Care Administration shall
1184collaborate to establish a committee that shall produce an
1185annual report on graduate medical education. The committee shall
1186be comprised of 11 members: five members shall be deans of the
1187medical schools or their designees; the Governor shall appoint
1188two members, one of whom must be a representative of the Florida
1189Medical Association who has supervised or currently supervises
1190residents or interns and one of whom must be a representative of
1191the Florida Hospital Association; the Secretary of Health Care
1192Administration shall appoint two members, one of whom must be a
1193representative of a statutory teaching hospital and one of whom
1194must be a physician who has supervised or is currently
1195supervising residents or interns; and the State Surgeon General
1196shall appoint two members, one of whom must be a representative
1197of a statutory family practice teaching hospital and one of whom
1198must be a physician who has supervised or is currently
1199supervising residents or interns. With the exception of the
1200deans, members shall serve 4-year terms. In order to stagger the
1201terms, the Governor's appointees shall serve initial terms of 4
1202years, the State Surgeon General's appointees shall serve
1203initial terms of 3 years, and the Secretary of Health Care
1204Administration's appointees shall serve initial terms of 2
1205years. A member's term shall be deemed terminated when the
1206member's representative status no longer exists. Once the
1207committee is appointed, it shall elect a chair to serve for a 1-
1208year term. The report shall be provided to the Governor, the
1209President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of
1210Representatives by January 15 annually. Committee members shall
1211serve without compensation. The report shall address the
1212following:
1213 (a) The role of residents and medical faculty in the
1214provision of health care.
1215 (b) The relationship of graduate medical education to the
1216state's physician workforce.
1217 (c) The costs of training medical residents for hospitals,
1218medical schools, teaching hospitals, including all hospital-
1219medical affiliations, practice plans at all of the medical
1220schools, and municipalities.
1221 (d) The availability and adequacy of all sources of
1222revenue to support graduate medical education and recommend
1223alternative sources of funding for graduate medical education.
1224 (e) The use of state and federal appropriated funds for
1225graduate medical education by hospitals receiving such funds.
1226 (9)(10) RULEMAKING.-The department has authority to adopt
1227rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the
1228provisions of this section.
1229 Section 26. Section 381.4018, Florida Statutes, is amended
1230to read:
1231 381.4018 Physician workforce assessment and development.-
1232 (1) DEFINITIONS.-As used in this section, the term:
1233 (a) "Consortium" or "consortia" means a combination of
1234statutory teaching hospitals, statutory rural hospitals, other
1235hospitals, accredited medical schools, clinics operated by the
1236department, clinics operated by the Department of Veterans'
1237Affairs, area health education centers, community health
1238centers, federally qualified health centers, prison clinics,
1239local community clinics, or other programs. At least one member
1240of the consortium shall be a sponsoring institution accredited
1241or currently seeking accreditation by the Accreditation Council
1242for Graduate Medical Education or the American Osteopathic
1243Association.
1244 (b) "Council" means the Physician Workforce Advisory
1245Council.
1246 (c) "Department" means the Department of Health.
1247 (d) "Graduate medical education program" means a program
1248accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical
1249Education or the American Osteopathic Association.
1250 (e) "Primary care specialty" means emergency medicine,
1251family practice, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry,
1252geriatrics, general surgery, obstetrics and gynecology, and
1253combined pediatrics and internal medicine and other specialties
1254as determined by the Physician Workforce Advisory Council or the
1255Department of Health.
1256 (2)(1) LEGISLATIVE INTENT.-The Legislature recognizes that
1257physician workforce planning is an essential component of
1258ensuring that there is an adequate and appropriate supply of
1259well-trained physicians to meet this state's future health care
1260service needs as the general population and elderly population
1261of the state increase. The Legislature finds that items to
1262consider relative to assessing the physician workforce may
1263include physician practice status; specialty mix; geographic
1264distribution; demographic information, including, but not
1265limited to, age, gender, race, and cultural considerations; and
1266needs of current or projected medically underserved areas in the
1267state. Long-term strategic planning is essential as the period
1268from the time a medical student enters medical school to
1269completion of graduate medical education may range from 7 to 10
1270years or longer. The Legislature recognizes that strategies to
1271provide for a well-trained supply of physicians must include
1272ensuring the availability and capacity of quality graduate
1273medical schools and graduate medical education programs in this
1274state, as well as using new or existing state and federal
1275programs providing incentives for physicians to practice in
1276needed specialties and in underserved areas in a manner that
1277addresses projected needs for physician manpower.
1278 (3)(2) PURPOSE.-The department of Health shall serve as a
1279coordinating and strategic planning body to actively assess the
1280state's current and future physician workforce needs and work
1281with multiple stakeholders to develop strategies and
1282alternatives to address current and projected physician
1283workforce needs.
1284 (4)(3) GENERAL FUNCTIONS.-The department shall maximize
1285the use of existing programs under the jurisdiction of the
1286department and other state agencies and coordinate governmental
1287and nongovernmental stakeholders and resources in order to
1288develop a state strategic plan and assess the implementation of
1289such strategic plan. In developing the state strategic plan, the
1290department shall:
1291 (a) Monitor, evaluate, and report on the supply and
1292distribution of physicians licensed under chapter 458 or chapter
1293459. The department shall maintain a database to serve as a
1294statewide source of data concerning the physician workforce.
1295 (b) Develop a model and quantify, on an ongoing basis, the
1296adequacy of the state's current and future physician workforce
1297as reliable data becomes available. Such model must take into
1298account demographics, physician practice status, place of
1299education and training, generational changes, population growth,
1300economic indicators, and issues concerning the "pipeline" into
1301medical education.
1302 (c) Develop and recommend strategies to determine whether
1303the number of qualified medical school applicants who might
1304become competent, practicing physicians in this state will be
1305sufficient to meet the capacity of the state's medical schools.
1306If appropriate, the department shall, working with
1307representatives of appropriate governmental and nongovernmental
1308entities, develop strategies and recommendations and identify
1309best practice programs that introduce health care as a
1310profession and strengthen skills needed for medical school
1311admission for elementary, middle, and high school students, and
1312improve premedical education at the precollege and college level
1313in order to increase this state's potential pool of medical
1314students.
1315 (d) Develop strategies to ensure that the number of
1316graduates from the state's public and private allopathic and
1317osteopathic medical schools is are adequate to meet physician
1318workforce needs, based on the analysis of the physician
1319workforce data, so as to provide a high-quality medical
1320education to students in a manner that recognizes the uniqueness
1321of each new and existing medical school in this state.
1322 (e) Pursue strategies and policies to create, expand, and
1323maintain graduate medical education positions in the state based
1324on the analysis of the physician workforce data. Such strategies
1325and policies must take into account the effect of federal
1326funding limitations on the expansion and creation of positions
1327in graduate medical education. The department shall develop
1328options to address such federal funding limitations. The
1329department shall consider options to provide direct state
1330funding for graduate medical education positions in a manner
1331that addresses requirements and needs relative to accreditation
1332of graduate medical education programs. The department shall
1333consider funding residency positions as a means of addressing
1334needed physician specialty areas, rural areas having a shortage
1335of physicians, and areas of ongoing critical need, and as a
1336means of addressing the state's physician workforce needs based
1337on an ongoing analysis of physician workforce data.
1338 (f) Develop strategies to maximize federal and state
1339programs that provide for the use of incentives to attract
1340physicians to this state or retain physicians within the state.
1341Such strategies should explore and maximize federal-state
1342partnerships that provide incentives for physicians to practice
1343in federally designated shortage areas. Strategies shall also
1344consider the use of state programs, such as the Florida Health
1345Service Corps established pursuant to s. 381.0302 and the
1346Medical Education Reimbursement and Loan Repayment Program
1347pursuant to s. 1009.65, which provide for education loan
1348repayment or loan forgiveness and provide monetary incentives
1349for physicians to relocate to underserved areas of the state.
1350 (g) Coordinate and enhance activities relative to
1351physician workforce needs, undergraduate medical education, and
1352graduate medical education, and reentry of retired military and
1353other physicians into the physician workforce provided by the
1354Division of Medical Quality Assurance, the Community Hospital
1355Education Program and the Graduate Medical Education Committee
1356established pursuant to s. 381.0403, area health education
1357center networks established pursuant to s. 381.0402, and other
1358offices and programs within the department of Health as
1359designated by the State Surgeon General.
1360 (h) Work in conjunction with and act as a coordinating
1361body for governmental and nongovernmental stakeholders to
1362address matters relating to the state's physician workforce
1363assessment and development for the purpose of ensuring an
1364adequate supply of well-trained physicians to meet the state's
1365future needs. Such governmental stakeholders shall include, but
1366need not be limited to, the State Surgeon General or his or her
1367designee, the Commissioner of Education or his or her designee,
1368the Secretary of Health Care Administration or his or her
1369designee, and the Chancellor of the State University System or
1370his or her designee from the Board of Governors of the State
1371University System, and, at the discretion of the department,
1372other representatives of state and local agencies that are
1373involved in assessing, educating, or training the state's
1374current or future physicians. Other stakeholders shall include,
1375but need not be limited to, organizations representing the
1376state's public and private allopathic and osteopathic medical
1377schools; organizations representing hospitals and other
1378institutions providing health care, particularly those that
1379currently provide or have an interest in providing accredited
1380medical education and graduate medical education to medical
1381students and medical residents; organizations representing
1382allopathic and osteopathic practicing physicians; and, at the
1383discretion of the department, representatives of other
1384organizations or entities involved in assessing, educating, or
1385training the state's current or future physicians.
1386 (i) Serve as a liaison with other states and federal
1387agencies and programs in order to enhance resources available to
1388the state's physician workforce and medical education continuum.
1389 (j) Act as a clearinghouse for collecting and
1390disseminating information concerning the physician workforce and
1391medical education continuum in this state.
1392 (5) PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE ADVISORY COUNCIL.-There is created
1393in the department the Physician Workforce Advisory Council, an
1394advisory council as defined in s. 20.03. The council shall
1395comply with the requirements of s. 20.052, except as otherwise
1396provided in this section.
1397 (a) The council shall consist of 19 members. Members
1398appointed by the State Surgeon General shall include:
1399 1. A designee from the department who is a physician
1400licensed under chapter 458 or chapter 459 and recommended by the
1401State Surgeon General.
1402 2. An individual who is affiliated with the Science
1403Students Together Reaching Instructional Diversity and
1404Excellence program and recommended by the area health education
1405center network.
1406 3. Two individuals who are recommended by the Council of
1407Florida Medical School Deans, one who represents a college of
1408allopathic medicine and one who represents a college of
1409osteopathic medicine.
1410 4. One individual who is recommended by the Florida
1411Hospital Association and represents a hospital that is licensed
1412under chapter 395, has an accredited graduate medical education
1413program, and is not a statutory teaching hospital.
1414 5. One individual who represents a statutory teaching
1415hospital as defined in s. 408.07 and is recommended by the
1416Safety Net Hospital Alliance.
1417 6. One individual who represents a family practice
1418teaching hospital as defined in s. 395.805 and is recommended by
1419the Council of Family Medicine and Community Teaching Hospitals.
1420 7. Two individuals who are recommended by the Florida
1421Medical Association, one who represents a primary care specialty
1422and one who represents a nonprimary care specialty.
1423 8. Two individuals who are recommended by the Florida
1424Osteopathic Medical Association, one who represents a primary
1425care specialty and one who represents a nonprimary care
1426specialty.
1427 9. Two individuals who are program directors of accredited
1428graduate medical education programs, one who represents a
1429program that is accredited by the Accreditation Council for
1430Graduate Medical Education and one who represents a program that
1431is accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.
1432 10. An individual who is recommended by the Florida
1433Association of Community Health Centers and represents a
1434federally qualified health center located in a rural area as
1435defined in s. 381.0406(2)(a).
1436 11. An individual who is recommended by the Florida
1437Academy of Family Physicians.
1438 12. An individual who is recommended by the Florida
1439Alliance for Health Professions Diversity.
1440 13. The Chancellor of the State University System or his
1441or her designee.
1442 14. A layperson member as determined by the State Surgeon
1443General.
1444
1445Each entity authorized to make recommendations under this
1446subsection shall make at least two recommendations to the State
1447Surgeon General for each appointment to the council. The State
1448Surgeon General shall name one appointee for each position from
1449the recommendations made by each authorized entity.
1450 (b) Each council member shall be appointed to a 4-year
1451term. An individual may not serve more than two terms. Any
1452council member may be removed from office for malfeasance,
1453misfeasance, neglect of duty, incompetence, permanent inability
1454to perform official duties, or pleading guilty or nolo
1455contendere to, or being found guilty of, a felony. Any council
1456member who meets the criteria for removal, or who is otherwise
1457unwilling or unable to properly fulfill the duties of the
1458office, shall be succeeded by an individual chosen by the State
1459Surgeon General to serve out the remainder of the council
1460member's term. If the remainder of the replaced council member's
1461term is less than 18 months, notwithstanding the provisions of
1462this paragraph, the succeeding council member may be reappointed
1463twice by the State Surgeon General.
1464 (c) The chair of the council is the State Surgeon General,
1465who shall designate a vice chair from the membership of the
1466council to serve in the absence of the State Surgeon General. A
1467vacancy shall be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term
1468in the same manner as the original appointment.
1469 (d) Council members are not entitled to receive
1470compensation or reimbursement for per diem or travel expenses.
1471 (e) The council shall meet at least twice a year in person
1472or by teleconference.
1473 (f) The council shall:
1474 1. Advise the State Surgeon General and the department on
1475matters concerning current and future physician workforce needs
1476in this state;
1477 2. Review survey materials and the compilation of survey
1478information;
1479 3. Annually review the number, location, cost, and
1480reimbursement of graduate medical education programs and
1481positions;
1482 4. Provide recommendations to the department regarding the
1483survey completed by physicians licensed under chapter 458 or
1484chapter 459;
1485 5. Assist the department in preparing the annual report to
1486the Legislature pursuant to ss. 458.3192 and 459.0082;
1487 6. Assist the department in preparing an initial strategic
1488plan, conduct ongoing strategic planning in accordance with this
1489section, and provide ongoing advice on implementing the
1490recommendations;
1491 7. Monitor and provide recommendations regarding the need
1492for an increased number of primary care or other physician
1493specialties to provide the necessary current and projected
1494health and medical services for the state; and
1495 8. Monitor and make recommendations regarding the status
1496of the needs relating to graduate medical education in this
1497state.
1498 (6) PHYSICIAN WORKFORCE GRADUATE MEDICAL EDUCATION
1499INNOVATION PILOT PROJECTS.-
1500 (a) The Legislature finds that:
1501 1. In order to ensure a physician workforce that is
1502adequate to meet the needs of this state's residents and its
1503health care system, policymakers must consider the education and
1504training of future generations of well-trained health care
1505providers.
1506 2. Physicians are likely to practice in the state where
1507they complete their graduate medical education.
1508 3. It can directly affect the makeup of the physician
1509workforce by selectively funding graduate medical education
1510programs to provide needed specialists in geographic areas of
1511the state that have a deficient number of such specialists.
1512 4. Developing additional positions in graduate medical
1513education programs is essential to the future of this state's
1514health care system.
1515 5. It was necessary in 2007 to pass legislation that
1516provided for an assessment of the status of this state's current
1517and future physician workforce. The department is collecting and
1518analyzing information on an ongoing basis to assess this state's
1519physician workforce needs, and such assessment may facilitate
1520the determination of graduate medical education needs and
1521strategies for the state.
1522 (b) There is established under the department a program to
1523foster innovative graduate medical education pilot projects that
1524are designed to promote the expansion of graduate medical
1525education programs or positions to prepare physicians to
1526practice in needed specialties and underserved areas or settings
1527and to provide demographic and cultural representation in a
1528manner that addresses current and projected needs for this
1529state's physician workforce. Funds appropriated annually by the
1530Legislature for this purpose shall be distributed to
1531participating hospitals, medical schools, other sponsors of
1532graduate medical education programs, consortia engaged in
1533developing new graduate medical education programs or positions
1534in those programs, or pilot projects providing innovative
1535graduate medical education in community-based clinical settings.
1536Pilot projects shall be selected on a competitive grant basis,
1537subject to available funds.
1538 (c) Pilot projects shall be designed to meet one or more
1539of this state's physician workforce needs, as determined
1540pursuant to this section, including, but not limited to:
1541 1. Increasing the number of residencies or fellowships in
1542primary care or other needed specialties.
1543 2. Enhancing the retention of primary care physicians or
1544other needed specialties in this state.
1545 3. Promoting practice in rural or medically underserved
1546areas of the state.
1547 4. Encouraging racial and ethnic diversity within the
1548state's physician workforce.
1549 5. Encouraging practice in community health care or other
1550ambulatory care settings.
1551 6. Encouraging practice in clinics operated by the
1552department, including, but not limited to, county health
1553departments, clinics operated by the Department of Veterans'
1554Affairs, prison clinics, or similar settings of need.
1555 7. Encouraging the increased production of geriatricians.
1556 (d) Priority shall be given to a proposal for a pilot
1557project that:
1558 1. Demonstrates a collaboration of federal, state, and
1559local entities that are public or private.
1560 2. Obtains funding from multiple sources.
1561 3. Focuses on enhancing graduate medical education in
1562rural or underserved areas.
1563 4. Focuses on enhancing graduate medical education in
1564ambulatory or community-based settings other than a hospital
1565environment.
1566 5. Includes the use of technology, such as electronic
1567medical records, distance consultation, and telemedicine, to
1568ensure that residents are better prepared to care for patients
1569in this state, regardless of the community in which the
1570residents practice.
1571 6. Is designed to meet multiple policy needs as enumerated
1572in subsection (4).
1573 7. Uses a consortium to provide for graduate medical
1574education experiences.
1575 (e) The department shall adopt by rule appropriate
1576performance measures to use in order to consistently evaluate
1577the effectiveness, safety, and quality of the programs, as well
1578as the impact of each program on meeting this state's physician
1579workforce needs.
1580 (f) Participating pilot projects shall submit to the
1581department an annual report on the project in a manner required
1582by the department.
1583 (g) Funding provided to a pilot project may be used only
1584for the direct costs of providing graduate medical education.
1585Accounting of such costs and expenditures shall be documented in
1586the annual report.
1587 (h) State funds shall be used to supplement funds from any
1588local government, community, or private source. The state may
1589provide up to 50 percent of the funds, and local governmental
1590grants or community or private sources shall provide the
1591remainder of the funds.
1592 (7) RULEMAKING.-The department shall adopt rules as
1593necessary to administer this section.
1594 Section 27. Section 458.3192, Florida Statutes, is amended
1595to read:
1596 458.3192 Analysis of survey results; report.-
1597 (1) Each year, the Department of Health shall analyze the
1598results of the physician survey required by s. 458.3191 and
1599determine by geographic area and specialty the number of
1600physicians who:
1601 (a) Perform deliveries of children in this state Florida.
1602 (b) Read mammograms and perform breast-imaging-guided
1603procedures in this state Florida.
1604 (c) Perform emergency care on an on-call basis for a
1605hospital emergency department.
1606 (d) Plan to reduce or increase emergency on-call hours in
1607a hospital emergency department.
1608 (e) Plan to relocate their allopathic or osteopathic
1609practice outside the state.
1610 (f) Practice medicine in this state.
1611 (g) Plan to reduce or modify the scope of their practice.
1612 (2) The Department of Health must report its findings to
1613the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
1614the House of Representatives by November 1 each year. The
1615department shall also include in its report findings,
1616recommendations, and strategic planning activities as provided
1617in s. 381.4018. The department may also include other
1618information requested by the Physician Workforce Advisory
1619Council.
1620 Section 28. Section 459.0082, Florida Statutes, is amended
1621to read:
1622 459.0082 Analysis of survey results; report.-
1623 (1) Each year, the Department of Health shall analyze the
1624results of the physician survey required by s. 459.0081 and
1625determine by geographic area and specialty the number of
1626physicians who:
1627 (a) Perform deliveries of children in this state Florida.
1628 (b) Read mammograms and perform breast-imaging-guided
1629procedures in this state Florida.
1630 (c) Perform emergency care on an on-call basis for a
1631hospital emergency department.
1632 (d) Plan to reduce or increase emergency on-call hours in
1633a hospital emergency department.
1634 (e) Plan to relocate their allopathic or osteopathic
1635practice outside the state.
1636 (f) Practice medicine in this state.
1637 (g) Plan to reduce or modify the scope of their practice.
1638 (2) The Department of Health must report its findings to
1639the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of
1640the House of Representatives by November 1 each year. The
1641department shall also include in its report findings,
1642recommendations, and strategic planning activities as provided
1643in s. 381.4018. The department may also include other
1644information requested by the Physician Workforce Advisory
1645Council.
1646 Section 29. Section 458.315, Florida Statutes, is amended
1647to read:
1648 458.315 Temporary certificate for practice in areas of
1649critical need.-
1650 (1) Any physician who:
1651 (a) Is licensed to practice in any jurisdiction in the
1652United States and other state, whose license is currently valid;
1653or,
1654 (b) Has served as a physician in the United States Armed
1655Forces for at least 10 years and received an honorable discharge
1656from the military;
1657
1658and who pays an application fee of $300 may be issued a
1659temporary certificate for to practice in areas of communities of
1660Florida where there is a critical need for physicians.
1661 (2) A certificate may be issued to a physician who:
1662 (a) Practices in an area of critical need;
1663 (b) Will be employed by or practice in a county health
1664department, correctional facility, Department of Veterans'
1665Affairs clinic, community health center funded by s. 329, s.
1666330, or s. 340 of the United States Public Health Services Act,
1667or other agency or institution that is approved by the State
1668Surgeon General and provides health care to meet the needs of
1669underserved populations in this state; or
1670 (c) Will practice for a limited time to address critical
1671physician-specialty, demographic, or geographic needs for this
1672state's physician workforce as determined by the State Surgeon
1673General entity that provides health care to indigents and that
1674is approved by the State Health Officer.
1675 (3) The Board of Medicine may issue this temporary
1676certificate with the following restrictions:
1677 (a)(1) The State Surgeon General board shall determine the
1678areas of critical need, and the physician so certified may
1679practice in any of those areas for a time to be determined by
1680the board. Such areas shall include, but are not be limited to,
1681health professional shortage areas
1682States Department of Health and Human
1683 1.(a) A recipient of a temporary certificate for practice
1684in areas of critical need may use the certificate license to
1685work for any approved entity employer in any area of critical
1686need or as authorized by the State Surgeon General approved by
1687the board.
1688 2.(b) The recipient of a temporary certificate for
1689practice in areas of critical need shall, within 30 days after
1690accepting employment, notify the board of all approved
1691institutions in which the licensee practices and of all approved
1692institutions where practice privileges have been denied.
1693 (b)(2) The board may administer an abbreviated oral
1694examination to determine the physician's competency, but a no
1695written regular examination is not required necessary. Within 60
1696days after receipt of an application for a temporary
1697certificate, the board shall review the application and issue
1698the temporary certificate, or notify the applicant of denial, or
1699notify the applicant that the board recommends additional
1700assessment, training, education, or other requirements as a
1701condition of certification. If the applicant has not actively
1702practiced during the prior 3 years and the board determines that
1703the applicant may lack clinical competency, possess diminished
1704or inadequate skills, lack necessary medical knowledge, or
1705exhibit patterns of deficits in clinical decisionmaking, the
1706board may:
1707 1. Deny the application;
1708 2. Issue a temporary certificate with reasonable
1709restrictions that may include, but are not limited to, a
1710requirement for the applicant to practice under the supervision
1711of a physician approved by the board; or
1712 3. Issue a temporary certificate upon receipt of
1713documentation confirming that the applicant has met any
1714reasonable conditions of the board which may include, but are
1715not limited to, completing continuing education or undergoing an
1716assessment of skills and training.
1717 (c)(3) Any certificate issued under this section is shall
1718be valid only so long as the State Surgeon General determines
1719that the reason area for which it was is issued remains a an
1720area of critical need to the state. The Board of Medicine shall
1721review each temporary certificateholder the service within said
1722area not less than annually to ascertain that the minimum
1723requirements of the Medical Practice Act and its adopted the
1724rules and regulations promulgated thereunder are being complied
1725with. If it is determined that such minimum requirements are not
1726being met, the board shall forthwith revoke such certificate or
1727shall impose restrictions or conditions, or both, as a condition
1728of continued practice under the certificate.
1729 (d)(4) The board may shall not issue a temporary
1730certificate for practice in an area of critical need to any
1731physician who is under investigation in any jurisdiction in the
1732United States another state for an act that which would
1733constitute a violation of this chapter until such time as the
1734investigation is complete, at which time the provisions of s.
1735458.331 shall apply.
1736 (4)(5) The application fee and all licensure fees,
1737including neurological injury compensation assessments, shall be
1738waived for those persons obtaining a temporary certificate to
1739practice in areas of critical need for the purpose of providing
1740volunteer, uncompensated care for low-income residents
1741Floridians. The applicant must submit an affidavit from the
1742employing agency or institution stating that the physician will
1743not receive any compensation for any service involving the
1744practice of medicine.
1745 Section 30. Section 459.0076, Florida Statutes, is created
1746to read:
1747 459.0076 Temporary certificate for practice in areas of
1748critical need.-
1749 (1) Any physician who:
1750 (a) Is licensed to practice in any jurisdiction in the
1751United States and whose license is currently valid; or
1752 (b) Has served as a physician in the United States Armed
1753Forces for at least 10 years and received an honorable discharge
1754from the military;
1755
1756and who pays an application fee of $300 may be issued a
1757temporary certificate for practice in areas of critical need.
1758 (2) A certificate may be issued to a physician who:
1759 (a) Will practice in an area of critical need;
1760 (b) Will be employed by or practice in a county health
1761department, correctional facility, Department of Veterans'
1762Affairs clinic, community health center funded by s. 329, s.
1763330, or s. 340 of the United States Public Health Services Act,
1764or other agency or institution that is approved by the State
1765Surgeon General and provides health care to meet the needs of
1766underserved populations in this state; or
1767 (c) Will practice for a limited time to address critical
1768physician-specialty, demographic, or geographic needs for this
1769state's physician workforce as determined by the State Surgeon
1770General.
1771 (3) The Board of Osteopathic Medicine may issue this
1772temporary certificate with the following restrictions:
1773 (a) The State Surgeon General shall determine the areas of
1774critical need. Such areas include, but are not limited to,
1775health professional shortage areas designated by the United
1776States Department of Health and Human Services.
1777 1. A recipient of a temporary certificate for practice in
1778areas of critical need may use the certificate to work for any
1779approved entity in any area of critical need or as authorized by
1780the State Surgeon General.
1781 2. The recipient of a temporary certificate for practice
1782in areas of critical need shall, within 30 days after accepting
1783employment, notify the board of all approved institutions in
1784which the licensee practices and of all approved institutions
1785where practice privileges have been denied.
1786 (b) The board may administer an abbreviated oral
1787examination to determine the physician's competency, but a
1788written regular examination is not required. Within 60 days
1789after receipt of an application for a temporary certificate, the
1790board shall review the application and issue the temporary
1791certificate, notify the applicant of denial, or notify the
1792applicant that the board recommends additional assessment,
1793training, education, or other requirements as a condition of
1794certification. If the applicant has not actively practiced
1795during the prior 3 years and the board determines that the
1796applicant may lack clinical competency, possess diminished or
1797inadequate skills, lack necessary medical knowledge, or exhibit
1798patterns of deficits in clinical decisionmaking, the board may:
1799 1. Deny the application;
1800 2. Issue a temporary certificate having reasonable
1801restrictions that may include, but are not limited to, a
1802requirement for the applicant to practice under the supervision
1803of a physician approved by the board; or
1804 3. Issue a temporary certificate upon receipt of
1805documentation confirming that the applicant has met any
1806reasonable conditions of the board, which may include, but are
1807not limited to, completing continuing education or undergoing an
1808assessment of skills and training.
1809 (c) Any certificate issued under this section is valid
1810only so long as the State Surgeon General determines that the
1811reason for which it was issued remains a critical need to the
1812state. The Board of Osteopathic Medicine shall review each
1813temporary certificateholder not less than annually to ascertain
1814that the minimum requirements of the Osteopathic Medical
1815Practice Act and its adopted rules are being complied with. If
1816it is determined that such minimum requirements are not being
1817met, the board shall revoke such certificate or shall impose
1818restrictions or conditions, or both, as a condition of continued
1819practice under the certificate.
1820 (d) The board may not issue a temporary certificate for
1821practice in an area of critical need to any physician who is
1822under investigation in any jurisdiction in the United States for
1823an act that would constitute a violation of this chapter until
1824such time as the investigation is complete, at which time the
1825provisions of s. 459.015 apply.
1826 (4) The application fee and all licensure fees, including
1827neurological injury compensation assessments, shall be waived
1828for those persons obtaining a temporary certificate to practice
1829in areas of critical need for the purpose of providing
1830volunteer, uncompensated care for low-income residents. The
1831applicant must submit an affidavit from the employing agency or
1832institution stating that the physician will not receive any
1833compensation for any service involving the practice of medicine.
1834 Section 31. This act shall take effect July 1, 2010.
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.