On November 19, 2024, the Florida Department of Health’s Health Care Innovation Council (HCI) held its first meeting in Tallahassee to discuss strategies for improving health care delivery across the state. Established as part of the Live Healthy health care legislative package passed during the 2024 Florida Legislative Session, the HCI is tasked with driving health care transformation, promoting best practices, and identifying innovative solutions to enhance health care outcomes.

The meeting centered on key priorities such as health care workforce development, patient care innovation, cost reduction, and technology integration. A significant topic of discussion was developing pathways to improve workforce efficiency and address staffing challenges, particularly for home care agencies. The HCI explored how technology could help alleviate staffing pressures while maintaining high-quality patient care.

Technological advancements in patient care were also highlighted, including the Hospital at Home initiative. Supported by AHCA Secretary Jason Weida and John Couris, President and CEO of Tampa General Hospital, this program was presented as a transformative model for delivering care at home, reducing hospitalizations, and improving patient outcomes.

Additionally, the HCI set a goal to finalize criteria for its revolving loan program by the first quarter of 2025. This program, which offers low-interest loans to eligible entities implementing health care innovations, aims to help providers adopt new technologies and strategies that will lower costs, improve operational efficiency, and enhance care delivery. Unlike grants, these loans are designed to be repaid, ensuring the program’s sustainability and continued support for health care advancements.

Home care providers are represented on the HCI, ensuring that the needs of this critical sector are considered in discussions surrounding health care innovation and policy development in Florida. As the HCI continues its work, HCAF will keep members informed about developments that affect the home care sector.