2024-26 Florida Legislative Changes: New Committee Chairs and Health Initiatives

2024-26 Florida Legislative Changes: New Committee Chairs and Health Initiatives

November 19, 2024 Catherine Williams - Chief Editor Health

New Committee Chairs Announced for 2024-26 Term

The 2024-26 term is underway, introducing new Committee Chairs in the Florida House.

Health & Human Services Committee Leadership

Rep. Josie Tomkow is now the Chair of the Health & Human Services Committee. Incoming House Speaker Daniel Perez appointed her to this role. Tomkow highlighted the importance of health care to Floridians and expressed enthusiasm about enhancing discussions on the state’s health care system. Previously, she chaired the House PreK-12 Leadership Committee and served on the Health Market Reform Subcommittee.

The House health care appropriations lead remains to be announced. The subcommittee will adopt the House’s new “Budget Committee” naming convention. Rep. Lawrence McClure will serve as the House Budget Chief for Perez’s term.

In the Senate, Ben Albritton, the new Senate President, named Sen. Jay Trumbull as the Chair of the Appropriations Committee on Health & Human Services. Albritton praised Trumbull for his thoughtful leadership in improving health care investments in Florida.

Agency Leadership and International Collaboration

Jason Weida, Secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, recently returned from a trip overseas. He represented Florida at the MEDICA Trade Fair 2024, showcasing the state’s health care industry and innovation alongside executives from the Mayo Clinic and Tampa General Hospital. Following the trade fair, Weida engaged with the German Health Alliance to foster partnerships aimed at advancing health care initiatives.

Weida also participated in signing a memorandum to bolster collaboration between Florida International University, Insightec, and The Neurological Institute of Besta, focusing on brain disease research.

Florida Leaders Class of 2025

The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) has selected its Florida Leaders Class of 2025. This program aims to advance and enhance long-term care in skilled nursing and assisted living facilities through leadership training. FHCA CEO Emmett Reed commended the class members for their commitment to caregiving and leadership development.

The new class consists of 25 professionals, emphasizing their leadership abilities and dedication to improving long-term care.

Veterans Day Recognition

In a special event, FHCA collaborated with Dream Flights to honor six Florida veterans with rides in a restored World War II biplane. This initiative aimed to acknowledge the service of these veterans, including 95-year-old Charles DeGear, and provided them with certificates and medals.

New Sports Medicine Center at UWF

The University of West Florida celebrated the opening of the Sandy Sansing Sports Medicine Center. This facility will enhance care for over 370 student-athletes, offering state-of-the-art resources for physical therapy and training.

Recognition for HCA Hospitals

HCA Florida Memorial Hospital and HCA Florida Orange Park Hospital received national acclaim for their operations. Both hospitals garnered multiple Specialty Excellence Awards and five-star ratings for various services, reflecting their commitment to high-quality patient care.

Additional Notes

The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) proposed changes regarding hospital licensure applications and the Board of Chiropractic Medicine withdrew changes related to license renewals.

Upcoming Dates to Remember
Nov. 19:

  • 10 a.m. Senate Organization Session
  • 11 a.m. House Organization Session

Nov. 21:

  • Happy birthday to Rep. Lindsay Cross!

Nov. 28:

  • Happy birthday to Rep. Jennifer Jonsson!
  • Happy Thanksgiving!

Dec. 2:

  • Happy birthday to Rep. Debbie Mayfield!