Legislators Tackle Health Care, Insurance, & Shoplifting Issues
- Issues likely to impact businesses in the 2024 Florida Legislative session include health care reforms, insurance, deregulation, and retail theft.
- Proposed health care reforms, led by Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo, aim to address concerns including difficulty finding primary-care physicians, a shortage of health care workers, and the need for more residency slots for young doctors. Other proposals relate to insurance, with homeowner insurance rates in Florida being 3.5 times the national average. Although no major bills are expected on insurance reform due to recent successful reforms, the issue remains a focus.
- Additionally, there is an interest in deregulation, particularly related to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation. However, the need for careful consideration was emphasized to avoid unintended negative consequences. Retail theft, particularly organized retail theft, is also a concern and proposals have been made to increase penalties for such crimes.
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The 2023 Florida Legislative session was noted for social issues, potentially boosting the political profile of Republican Governor Ron DeSantis for his presidential run. However, the 2024 session is set to feature a more diverse range of proposed bills, particularly impacting the business sector. With Florida’s budget surplus, several significant issues such as affordable housing and insurance persist.
Health Care Reforms
Florida Senate President Kathleen Passidomo has been vocal about her “Live Healthy” proposals to tackle health issues as Florida’s population grows and ages. These reforms, pushed by the Senate, include adding more residency slots for young doctors and fostering relationships with educational institutions to promote healthcare careers.
Insurance Reforms
Florida’s homeowner insurance rates are 3.5 times the national average, posing a significant challenge in comparison with other states. While major bills on insurance reform are not anticipated for 2024, reforms from previous sessions, such as HB 837 aimed at curbing billing abuses, have begun to take effect.
Deregulation
Passidomo plans to review Florida’s Department of Business and Professional Regulation, the state’s career licensing agency. While the Republican-dominated Legislature is keen on deregulation, it recognizes the potential risks and unintended consequences of hasty deregulation.
Retail Theft
State Senator Blaise Ingoglia and state Rep. Bob Rommel have proposed SB 824 and HB 549 to tackle persistent retail theft. The bills aim to enforce stricter penalties for shoplifters and those participating in illegal “flash mobs”.
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