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Local bill to limit county exposure for inmate hospital bills clears legislature, awaiting governor
Summary
County staff said a locally sponsored bill that would cap hospital charges for inmates passed both chambers and awaits the governor’s signature; staff said it will give Martin County more predictable costs for inmate medical care.
Martin County staff member Sarah Powers said a locally sponsored bill that would limit what hospitals may charge the county for inmate medical care passed both the Florida House and Senate and now awaits the governor’s signature.
Powers told the podcast that the measure “caps, the rate at a 10% of Medicaid And or a 25% if the hospital is losing money.”
The bill’s sponsor in the House was Rep. Steve Snyder, Powers said, and Sen. Gail Harrell carried the measure in the Senate. Powers said the measure passed unanimously out of three House committees and passed on the floors of both chambers.
Why it matters: County officials said hospital charges for inmates have been unpredictable, complicating budgeting. Powers described the bill as giving the county “some predictability” by placing a cap on rates hospitals can bill the county for detainee care.
Powers said the cap applies except in “special circumstances” when a hospital reports it is losing money and a higher percentage applies. She said the legislation was part of the roughly 255 bills that survived the 60-day session in Tallahassee.
The podcast also noted that Martin County officials and staff sometimes travel to Tallahassee to support or oppose bills important to the county; Powers named County Administrator Don Donaldson and Commissioner Sally Wade as participants who have gone to the Capitol.
The article reflects comments made on the Martin County “2 MC” podcast; the county’s written legislative report will contain the bill’s text and final status. As Powers noted, the measure has passed both chambers and is awaiting the governor’s signature, so its final legal effect depends on that signature.
Looking ahead: County staff said the legislature recessed to resolve the budget and would return to finalize appropriations. For this local bill, county staff will monitor the governor’s action and report any implementing steps or administrative guidance if the bill becomes law.
