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FL H0905

FL H0905
Florida Health Choices Program


summary

Introduced
02/23/2025
In Committee
03/31/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
06/16/2025

Introduced Session

2025 Regular Session

Bill Summary

An act relating to the Florida Health Choices Program; amending s. 408.910, F.S.; renaming the "Florida Health Choices Program" as the "Florida Employee Health Choices Program"; revising legislative intent; revising definitions; revising program purpose and components to provide for the sale and purchase of individual health insurance plans to employeesin individual coverage health reimbursement arrangements; removing provisions relating to certain health care service providers, organizations, entities, and vendors, vendor procedures, products available for purchase through the program, pricing, risk pooling, and exemptions; revising the marketplace process; requiring the Department of Management Services to facilitate the formation of Florida Employee Health Choices, Inc., and provide administrative support; revising membership of the board of directors; authorizing the corporation to exercise certain powers; providing requirements for the board and the corporation; revising the fiscal year in which the corporation's annual report is due; amending ss. 409.821, 409.9122, and 409.977, F.S.; conforming provisions to changes made by the act; providing an effective date. hb905-01-c1

AI Summary

This bill renames the Florida Health Choices Program to the Florida Employee Health Choices Program, fundamentally restructuring how individual health insurance can be purchased through employer-sponsored health reimbursement arrangements. The legislation creates a centralized marketplace where employees can use employer contributions to select individual health insurance plans, with the Department of Management Services facilitating the formation of a new non-profit corporation called Florida Employee Health Choices, Inc. The corporation will be governed by an eight-member board appointed by the Governor, Senate President, and House Speaker, and will be responsible for establishing an online platform that streamlines individual health insurance purchases. The bill eliminates previous provisions about specific health care providers and vendors, instead focusing on creating a more flexible system where employers can provide health care contributions directly to employees. Importantly, the program will be voluntary for employers and employees, with the goal of expanding access to affordable health insurance by empowering individuals to choose plans that best meet their personal needs. The corporation must develop public awareness strategies, establish a toll-free hotline, and submit annual reports to state leadership. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, with the goal of having the platform fully operational by January 1, 2027.

Committee Categories

Business and Industry, Health and Social Services

Sponsors (1)

Other Sponsors (1)

Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee (House)

Last Action

Died in Insurance & Banking Subcommittee (on 06/16/2025)

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