On Friday, May 5, the Florida Legislative Session adjourned sine die — the traditional declaration which marks the end of the annual 60-day session — following the passage of the $117 billion state budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, which begins on July 1, 2023. As a result of the state's continued economic success and low unemployment rates, this is the largest budget in state history. The theme of the session was "big budget and big policy," with the Republican-controlled House and Senate passing a number of high-profile bills that aligned with the priorities of the Governor.

In advance of the legislative session, the Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) approved a legislative agenda that included increased funding to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates and a revision of Medicaid enrollment requirements. A number of industry leaders advocated for these priorities during HCAF's annual Home Care Day at the Capitol in March.

HCAF achieved the following positive results for its members:

• Passed legislation exempting certain home health agencies from the Medicaid provider enrollment requirement policy change that took effect in January 2022;
• Expanded and protected access to Medicaid private duty nursing services through the creation of the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program (HB 391); and
• Achieved a consensus-based increase in training requirements for home health workers related to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias.

The HCAF policy team closely monitored a number of bills that were likely to affect the Florida home care providers. This report summarizes what was passed and what failed during the session.

Click here to read the members-only report (login required).