HCAF maintained a strong presence at the Florida Capitol the week of November 3–6, 2025, through participation in key committee hearings, direct engagement with lawmakers, and continued dialogue with senior leaders at the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA).

HCAF’s Senior Director of Policy, Advocacy & Communications, Kyle Simon, represented the association throughout these activities alongside Jimmy Card, Managing Partner, and Gangul Gabadage, Partner, of Continental Strategy, HCAF’s contracted lobbying firm.

Committee Hearings: Federal Opportunities, Budget Oversight, and Program Implementation

House Health & Human Services Committee (November 4, 2025)

AHCA briefed lawmakers on the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, a large-scale national initiative focused on strengthening care access and infrastructure in rural communities. All 50 states submitted applications by the November 5 deadline, signaling intense competition and broad nationwide participation.

HCAF remains actively engaged in monitoring Florida’s application and has elevated the home health sector’s essential role in any statewide implementation strategy.

House Health Care Budget Subcommittee (November 5, 2025)

The committee received an update from AHCA on Statewide Medicaid Managed Care (SMMC) health plan performance, including quality indicators, accountability expectations, and operational challenges. These trends remain directly relevant to HCAF’s ongoing advocacy to reduce administrative burden and improve access to home-based services.

House Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee (November 6, 2025)

AHCA provided implementation updates on several 2025 health care laws:

• HB 1085: Children’s Medical Services Program
• HB 1227 (2025): Medicaid Enrollment for Permanently Disabled Individuals
• HB 1529: Home Health Aides for Medically Fragile Children Program

Implementation of HB 1529 continues to be a central focus for home health agencies. Rulemaking remains underway, and several operational details still require clarification.

HCAF remains fully engaged in the rulemaking process and has submitted formal comments outlining provider concerns and recommended revisions to ensure the program is workable and aligned with legislative intent.

Legislative Meetings: Advancing Home Care Priorities

Meetings were held with Representative Chase Tramont (R-Orange Park) to discuss HB 1529 and persistent challenges with the draft rule. The conversation underscored the need for clear, consistent standards that support families, safeguard access, and reflect provider realities.

Another meeting with Representative John Snyder (R-Stuart) centered on shaping HCAF’s 2026 legislative priorities, with discussion focused on consumer protections, regulatory modernization, and the stability of Florida’s home care workforce.

2026 Legislation: Sponsors Confirmed

The policy team also confirmed that Senator Alexis Calatayud (R-Miami) and Representative Gallop Franklin (D-Tallahassee) will again sponsor HCAF's 2026 legislation. The bill is currently in drafting and will present a comprehensive package of reforms designed to enhance oversight, strengthen consumer safeguards, and reinforce the long-term viability of Florida’s home health system.

Members will receive additional details as the bill text moves forward.

High-Level Agency Engagement

Throughout the week, HCAF continued engagement with senior AHCA leadership, ensuring that home health agencies’ operational challenges, Medicaid concerns, and regulatory priorities were communicated directly to state decision-makers. This sustained involvement reflects HCAF’s commitment to providing strong, informed, and consistent representation for its members during a pivotal policy year.