Bill > S1156

This bill establishes comprehensive provisions for the Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program, focusing on improving training, oversight, and support for family caregivers who provide specialized medical care to children with complex health needs. The bill requires home health agencies to provide extensive training for aides, including at least 76 hours of instruction covering nursing skills, clinical training, and certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Home health agencies must now conduct detailed competency validations and maintain documentation of training. The bill mandates an annual assessment of the program, including reporting caregiver satisfaction, tracking adverse incidents (defined to include serious medical events like death, permanent disfigurement, or brain damage), and comparing hospitalization rates between children cared for by home health aides versus registered or licensed practical nurses. Additionally, the bill increases the Medicaid fee schedule to a minimum of $25 per hour and expands the daily and weekly hour utilization cap, allowing exceptions with proper justification. The legislation also directs the Agency for Health Care Administration to seek federal approval for allowing Medicaid providers to participate in the program and to potentially disregard income earned by home health aides when determining Medicaid eligibility, thus providing additional support and incentives for family caregivers of medically fragile children.

Budget and Finance

Fiscal Policy (Senate), Health Policy (Senate)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1156