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CS/HB 183 — Office of Minority Health and Health Equity
by Professions and Public Health Subcommittee and Reps. Brown, Joseph, and others (CS/SB 404 by Health Policy Committee and Senator Rouson)
This summary is provided for information only and does not represent the opinion of any Senator, Senate Officer, or Senate Office.
Prepared by: Health Policy Committee (HP)
The bill creates s. 381.735, F.S., to assign duties and responsibilities to the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity (Office) within the Department of Health (DOH), which currently administers the Closing the Gap grant program. The bill requires the Office to develop and promote the statewide implementation of policies, programs, and practices that increase health equity in this state, including increased access to and quality of health care services for racial and ethnic minority populations. The bill also requires the Office to coordinate with agencies, organizations, and providers across the state to perform certain tasks, including gathering and analyzing data relating to health disparities.
The bill establishes that a representative from each county health department will serve as a liaison to the Office and that the Office will serve as a liaison to the federal Offices of Minority Health and Regional Health Operations. The bill requires the DOH to maintain specified information and data on its website that must be updated at least annually. The bill authorizes the DOH to adopt rules to implement the provisions of the bill.
The bill requires the Office to use all available resources and pursue opportunities for increased funding to implement its duties and responsibilities. The bill is projected to increase the DOH’s workload and operational costs.
If approved by the Governor, these provisions take effect July 1, 2021.
Vote: Senate 38-0; House 117-0