Department of Health reports on FRAME, screening grants, telehealth maternity care, swimming‑lesson vouchers and HIV prophylaxis expansion

The Florida Department of Health gave a multi‑topic update to the Senate Health Policy Committee covering several programs enacted or expanded in 2024–25.

FRAME (Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education): The department said it has implemented FRAME to encourage providers to practice in shortage areas and has begun data collection through a third‑party evaluator. For fiscal year 2024–25, the department reported loan payments under the FRAME dental stream for 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists and payments under the FRAME medical stream for nearly 1,300 medical professionals (majority physicians).

Screening and Services Grant Program (SINADI): The department awarded 24 grants in the first year to nonprofits for 11 types of screenings across 42 counties and launched a public portal (healthcarescreenings.floridahealth.gov) listing no‑ or low‑cost screening services and volunteer opportunities.

Healthcare Innovation Revolving Loan Program: The new revolving loan program and Healthcare Innovation Council have been stood up; the loan portal opened and the first round of applications closes Nov. 17, 2025. The department expects first loan disbursements in January 2026 and plans permanent rulemaking within the fiscal year.

Telehealth Maternity Care Program: Expanded statewide, the department said nearly 10,000 women enrolled in 2024–25 — exceeding a goal of 5,077 — and the program identified more than 400 cases of gestational diabetes and nearly 2,000 cases of hypertension through home monitoring devices. The department said emergency department visits among participants decreased and attendance at postpartum visits rose from 37 percent to 52 percent in the most recent reporting period.

Swimming Lesson Voucher Program: The department doubled the appropriation for FY 2024–25 to $1 million and, with additional local and federal fund sources, issued 4,945 vouchers in the program’s first round despite receiving more than 18,000 initial applications; county health departments continue to process applications and prioritize children in military families and children with autism as directed by proviso language.

HIV post‑exposure prophylaxis access (HB 159): The Department summarized implementation steps allowing certified pharmacists to order and dispense postexposure prophylaxis under written collaborative agreements. It said the Board of Pharmacy approved three certification courses and the department has issued five pharmacist certifications to date.

Ending: The Department of Health said program implementation is largely complete for these items, that program reporting is ongoing and that more detailed legislative reports will follow as required by law.