CS/HB 1125 Summary

• Exempts Level III neonatal intensive care units with at least 5 beds from certificate of need requirements if the hospital is a verified trauma center with a Level II unit and meets specified quality and staffing standards.

• Removes the age limitation (64 years or younger) from health flex plan eligibility requirements, allowing older residents to enroll if they meet other income and coverage criteria.

• Expands the definition of "health care provider" to include orthotists, orthotic fitters, pedorthists, and prosthetists for purposes of medical malpractice liability.

• Restructures the Florida Health Choices Program by expanding eligible employers beyond those with 1-50 employees, adding statutory rural hospitals as eligible employers, and permitting additional vendor types including health maintenance organizations and discount medical plan organizations to offer products.

• Requires the Agency for Health Care Administration to establish a demonstration project in Miami-Dade County for a long-term-care facility and psychiatric facility to serve medically underserved populations, exempt from certificate of need review.