As we wrap up week six of the 2025 Florida Legislative Session, HCAF is proud to report meaningful progress on our top legislative priorities, as well as key budget proposals that would strengthen Florida’s home care system.

With just 22 days remaining until adjournment on May 2, the majority of filed legislation is no longer viable — 820 out of 1,694 general bills have not been heard in any of their assigned committees and are effectively dead. That makes our success all the more significant: HCAF’s top priorities are still moving forward, having cleared multiple committee stops with unanimous, bipartisan support. That kind of traction is never guaranteed — it’s the result of strategic advocacy, persistence, and strong relationships with legislators on both sides of the aisle.

Budget Proposals At-A-Glance

The Senate and House of Representatives have each passed their proposed state budgets for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2025, as the legislature enters the final weeks of session. Although both chambers prioritize investments in health care, their proposals reflect differing spending levels and policy choices that must be reconciled through the upcoming conference process.

• Current State Budget (Fiscal Year 2024-2025): $118.6 billion
• Senate Proposed Budget (Senate Bill 2500): $117.35 billion
  • Health Care Spending: $48.73 billion
• House Proposed Budget (PCB BUC 25-01): $112.95 billion
  • Health Care Spending: $46.9 billion

The two chambers are approximately $4.4 billion apart in total spending. The Senate proposal more closely mirrors the current year’s budget and includes higher health care allocations. Both chambers prioritize funding for the Community Care for the Elderly Program, the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative, and related services through the Department of Elder Affairs, which support older adults remaining safely at home. Despite these investments, there are no planned Medicaid provider rate increases for home health, personal care, or private duty nursing (PDN) services.

Additionally, the House budget proposes to eliminate the Health Innovation Council, a 10-year, $500 million initiative created in 2024 as part of the Live Healthy legislative package. The Council was established to identify and promote best practices in health care and to drive innovation in care delivery and patient outcomes. The Senate, in contrast, preserves $50 million for the Council in the upcoming fiscal year. This stark difference sets the stage for a likely point of contention during budget negotiations.

Summaries of each chamber’s budget, prepared by HCAF’s contract lobbying firm, Continental Strategy, are available for download here:

• Senate Budget Summary
• House Budget Summary

Legislative Priorities: Strong Bipartisan Progress

Priority #1: Home Health Care Services – SB 1412/HB 1353

HCAF's top legislative priority this session, this legislation would modernize home health agency operations and promote flexibility and innovation across care delivery settings:

• Allows a single administrator to oversee up to five home health agencies with identical controlling interests — removing outdated geographic restrictions.
• Eliminates the requirement that initial, evaluation, and discharge visits be performed exclusively by direct employees.
• Revises the Excellence in Home Health Program to reflect real-world agency operations and make the program inclusive of non-skilled providers, addressing the fact that no agency has earned the designation since its 2023 launch.

In the Senate, Senate Bill 1412, sponsored by Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami), has passed its first two committees — the Committee on Health Policy on April 1 and the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services on April 10 — both with unanimous support. It now awaits a hearing in the Committee on Rules, its final stop before reaching the Senate floor for a full vote.

In the House, House Bill 1353, sponsored by Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee), has also advanced with unanimous support, passing the Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee on March 19 and the Health & Human Services Committee on March 31. The bill is scheduled for a full vote on the House floor on Wednesday, April 16.

Priority #2: Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program – SB 1156/HB 1529

This legislation would strengthen and enhance the family home health aide (FHHA) program, which was originally created through the passage of House Bill 391 in 2023, to better meet the needs of children with complex medical conditions:

• Establishes a structured training and competency model for FHHAs based on patient-specific needs.
• Extends allowable service hours up to 12 per day, aligning with PDN shift standards and reducing care gaps.
• Directs the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) to seek federal approval to expand provider eligibility and exempt FHHA income from public assistance eligibility calculations.

In the Senate, Senate Bill 1156, sponsored by Senator Gayle Harrell (R-Stuart), passed the Committee on Health Policy on April 1 and the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services on April 10, both unanimously. It now awaits a hearing in the Committee on Fiscal Policy, its final committee stop before proceeding to the full Senate. 

In the House, House Bill 1529, sponsored by Representative Chase Tramont (R-Orange Park), passed the Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee on March 11 and the Health Care Budget Subcommittee on March 26. It is now awaiting scheduling in the Health & Human Services Committee, which is the final stop before a full vote by the House.

Stay Engaged: Track Progress & Support the PAC

As we enter the final stretch of the 2025 Legislative Session, we encourage members to stay informed and engaged by tracking key legislation in real time through our members-only bill tracker

We also urge you to support the Home Care Political Action Committee (PAC). Your contributions are essential to strengthening our industry’s voice and helping elect lawmakers who understand and champion home care. There are no contribution limits, and both individuals and businesses may contribute. With legislators resuming fundraising as soon as session ends, now is the time to act. Click here to make a contribution.

HCAF’s policy team continues to work tirelessly to protect, promote, and elevate home care across Florida — from advancing legislation and negotiating budget priorities to educating lawmakers and shaping the future of our field. Your support makes all the difference.