CS/HB 429 Summary

• Department of Health shall establish and administer the Florida Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Competitive Grant Program with grant awards up to $750,000 per eligible rural hospital, subject to annual appropriation.

• Eligible rural hospitals must demonstrate that grant funds are necessary to maintain or improve health care services, provide return on investment to taxpayers, and maintain satisfactory recordkeeping systems.

• Department shall score and rank applications based on social and economic community benefit, economic development promotion, service expansion to underserved populations, and availability of matching funds or in-kind contributions.

• Grant funds may be used only for hospital medical equipment purchases or facility infrastructure improvements in the rural area served by the grantee.

• Department must submit annual report to Governor and Legislature listing grantees, award amounts, fund use descriptions, anticipated outcomes, and return on investment to taxpayers.