FL H0961

Creates the Health Innovation Commission within the Agency for Health Care Administration with 11 members appointed by the Governor, President of the Senate, and Speaker of the House to facilitate implementation of innovative healthcare delivery ideas that increase efficiency, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes.

Commission must convene by December 1, 2019, and meet at least quarterly to review proposals for exemptions from specified healthcare laws and rules, including licensure restrictions, supervisory protocols, and practice restrictions.

Proposals submitted to the commission are public records that must be posted on the Agency for Health Care Administration website; the commission must issue public notice, accept 30 days of written public comments, and provide written responses to all comments before making a decision.

Commission may only grant exemptions if compelling evidence shows the proposal will achieve the stated purpose, the exemption is necessary for implementation, and potential benefits outweigh public health and safety risks; cannot grant exemptions that violate federal law or jeopardize public health and safety.

Agency must submit annual report by November 1 to the Governor and Legislature summarizing reviewed proposals, approved exemptions, and commission findings; bill appropriates $174,594 in recurring funds and $7,144 in nonrecurring funds for two full-time positions effective July 1, 2019.