FL S1144

Exempts health care projects from certificate of need review if the project applicant commits to improving access to care for uninsured and low-income residents through a signed agreement with the Agency for Health Care Administration.

Requires exempt projects to contribute 1.5 percent of gross revenues to the Public Medical Assistance Trust Fund during the first four quarters of operation.

Mandates that exempt projects provide charity care equal to or exceeding the district average for uninsured patients with incomes at or below 200 percent of federal poverty level, or alternatively donate to charity care providers or Florida Health Choices for health insurance assistance.

Establishes escalating penalties for noncompliance, including fines up to four quarters that double each quarter, license suspension after five quarters of noncompliance, and license revocation for continued failure to comply with corrective action plans.

Effective July 1, 2016.