Bill > H1529

This bill modifies Florida's Home Health Aide for Medically Fragile Children Program by introducing several key provisions to improve training, oversight, and support for family caregivers. The bill requires an annual assessment of the program that includes reporting caregiver satisfaction, tracking adverse incidents (which are specifically defined to include serious events like death, brain damage, and permanent disfigurement), and comparing hospitalization rates between children cared for by home health aides versus registered or licensed practical nurses. Home health agencies must now provide more comprehensive training for aides, including competency validation by a registered nurse, HIV and CPR certification, and ongoing training as a child's care needs change. The bill increases the Medicaid fee schedule to a minimum of $25 per hour and raises the daily service cap from 8 to 12 hours, with a weekly cap of 40 hours that can be exceeded with proper justification. Additionally, the bill 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, which could help support family caregivers in providing critical medical care for medically fragile children.

Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services

Health & Human Services Committee (House), Health Care Facilities & Systems Subcommittee (House)

https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2025/1529