This week, with the Legislature starting its regular sessions, state Sen. Victor Torres, D-Orlando, and state Rep. Yvonne Hinson, D-Gainesville, showcased their “Health Care Transparency Act.”
The bill would “increase transparency in Florida’s health care system” and “would address denials of care by requiring hospitals and health care institutions that refuse to provide care for nonmedical reasons to disclose that fact to patients and to inform the Florida Department of Health.”
“Too many Floridians have few choices to access affordable healthcare services in their local communities,” said Torres. “If hospitals and medical providers refuse services then people living in those communities should be made aware of these discriminatory business practices so that they can recruit healthcare providers willing to accept all available patients and not pick and choose the populations they want to serve.”
“Everyone deserves access to care without discrimination,” said Hinson. “Floridians are entitled to full transparency with regard to the services refused by a provider. No one should waste time and energy to be turned away at a health care facility because they were unaware of the provider’s denial. This legislation will empower Floridians to make better health care decisions while ensuring quality care for all.”
Hinson introduced the bill in October and it was sent to the Professions & Public Health Subcommittee, the Health & Human Services Committee and the Civil Justice & Property Rights Subcommittee.
Torres introduced the companion measure last week and it has not been referred to any committees yet.
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