FL H1489

Summary of Florida HB 1489 - "Healthy Florida Act"

• Creates the "Medical Debt Protection Act" requiring large health care facilities to develop financial assistance policies, with free care for patients at or below 300% of the federal poverty level, and prohibiting collection actions such as wage garnishment, property liens, and credit reporting for medical debt

• Establishes the "Florida Health Plan" as a state-administered single-payer health care system covering all Florida residents regardless of immigration status, with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, mental health, reproductive care, gender-affirming care, prescription drugs, and long-term care

• Creates the Florida Health Board consisting of at least 15 members (including regional representatives, labor representatives, and health care providers) to administer the plan, negotiate provider payment rates, set institutional provider budgets, and oversee health planning regions

• Eliminates cost-sharing for enrollees by prohibiting deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance, while limiting medical debt interest to 2% annually and requiring 24-month payment plans for eligible patients

• Prohibits sale of duplicative private health insurance once the plan becomes operational on July 1, 2028, and requires the state to seek federal waivers under the Affordable Care Act to implement the program (contingent on passage of companion bill HB 1491 for financing)