Yesterday, Florida House of Representatives Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) announced a sweeping health care reform agenda titled “Florida’s New Frontier in Healthcare.” The proposal spans two major bills that together represent one of the most expansive health policy initiatives to come out of the House in recent years. While the package touches nearly every corner of the health system, several provisions are directly relevant to Florida’s home care sector and the patients we serve.

The 2026 Florida Legislative Session convenes on January 13, 2026, and HCAF will be monitoring these bills closely, with particular attention to reforms affecting home health, hospice, access, workforce, and regulatory standards.

Major Legislation, Complex Dynamics

The proposal is expected to command substantial attention in the House. However, several provisions are already generating meaningful policy differences between House leadership, the Senate, and the Governor’s Office. While it is unlikely the package will pass in its current form, individual components may move independently or be incorporated into other bills.

For HCAF members, this means staying engaged throughout session will be critical as provisions evolve, are amended, or taken up through committee substitutes.

Key Home Care-Related Provisions

The headline bill — the Big Beautiful Healthcare Frontier Act (HB 693)— combines state-level implementation of federal health reforms with a broad deregulation agenda intended to expand the workforce, increase patient choice, and streamline regulatory requirements.

Several provisions are particularly relevant for the home care and hospice community.

Eliminating Remaining Certificate of Need Requirements

The bill proposes a full repeal of remaining Certificate of Need (CON) requirements, including for hospice programs, sursing homes, and intermediate care facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Florida has gradually repealed CON requirements over the last decade. Hospice is one of the final remaining areas where CON approval is still required. Eliminating CON for hospice represents a major structural change that would significantly expand market entry and competition.

HCAF will evaluate the potential impact on access, quality, and continuity of care for medically complex, terminally ill patients and their families, and we will seek feedback from providers statewide.

Workforce Expansion and Access

The bill advances several provisions intended to grow capacity and expand care delivery options:

• Independent practice authority for all five advanced registered nurse specialties, including psychiatric nurse practitioners, nurse anesthetists, and clinical nurse specialists
• Interstate licensure compacts for physician assistants and emergency medical services professionals to streamline cross-state practice
• Removal of the supervisory cap for physician assistants to increase clinical capacity
• Continuing expansion of scope of practice for dental hygienists, focused on preventive care access

While many of these reforms are outside the traditional home health regulatory framework, the upstream workforce impacts are significant, particularly as providers continue to face staffing shortages and evolving care models.

Federal Program Alignment

The bill also aligns state law with federal changes to Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), including:

• Reducing retroactive coverage from three months to two months
• Codifying federal prohibitions on payments to certain entities
• Expanding work requirements for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) participants, affecting workforce participation
• Revising parental exemptions and eligibility categories

These changes may affect patient eligibility, continuity of care, and discharge planning for the medically fragile population served by home health providers.

Drug Pricing Reforms: The PRICE Act

A second bill, the Prescription Reduction Incentives and Competition Enhancement (PRICE) Act (HB 697), targets pharmaceutical costs. Key elements include:

• “Most favored nation” drug pricing to prevent Florida consumers from paying more than comparable countries
• Significant reforms to Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) practices
• Frozen formularies to prevent mid-year coverage changes that disrupt patient access

Although primarily focused on drug affordability, these changes could affect home health patients who rely on stable medication management for chronic, complex conditions.

What Comes Next

This package will be heard in committee early in session, and we expect substantial amendments as policy differences are resolved. Given the scope of the proposals and the limited legislative calendar, it is likely the House will advance priority provisions, while other components may take longer to resolve or require further negotiation with the Senate.

HCAF will closely track how the package evolves and will analyze the impact of any adopted provisions on:

• Access to care in the home
• Hospice program stability and capacity
• Medicaid eligibility changes and continuity of care
• Workforce supply and training
• Home health clinical practice authority

How HCAF Members Can Stay Engaged

This session will shape critical aspects of home care access and delivery. To stay informed and influence legislation:

• Monitor Bills in Real Time – Members can follow these bills and others affecting home care providers through our members-only bill tracker.
• Register for Home Care Day – Join providers from across the state at Home Care Day at the Capitol on February 10–11, 2026, to meet with lawmakers, elevate the home care message, and ensure providers are part of the conversation.
• Discuss the Package With HCAF's Policy Team – Register for our December 17 Governmental Affairs Task Force Meeting, where we will review filed bills, discuss HCAF’s 2026 legislative priorities, and gather member input on these proposals.

HCAF will publish detailed analyses and alerts as bills move through the legislative process, highlighting where provider action can make the greatest impact.

Our goal remains clear: protect access to care, support the workforce, and strengthen the home care delivery model for Florida’s providers, patients/clients, and families.