Department of Health reports early wins on telehealth maternity, screening grants, innovation loans and swimming vouchers

The Florida Department of Health briefed the Senate Health Policy Committee on implementation progress for several health programs passed in 2024–25, reporting enrollment, procurement and next steps.

Assistant Deputy Secretary Melissa Jordan said the FRAME (Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education) program made loan payments and that FRAME dental disbursements reached 78 dentists and 15 dental hygienists in FY24–25. The SONADI (screening and services) grant program awarded 24 nonprofit organizations funding to expand screening or service programs across 42 counties.

Telehealth maternity program and maternal outcomes Jordan told the committee the statewide Telehealth Maternity Care program enrolled nearly 10,000 women in FY24–25, exceeding a goal of 5,077 participants. The program provided home monitoring devices (scales, blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors), reported more than 18,000 recorded vital signs in patients’ records and showed an overall decrease in emergency department visits among participants; postpartum visit attendance rose from 37% to 52% in the most recent year.

“We have protocols for remote device monitoring and immediate telehealth consults when devices flag concerns,” Jordan said, describing a statewide network of 13 regional hospital providers under contract to ensure coverage and monitoring even in areas with delivery shortages.

Healthcare Innovation Revolving Loan Program Jordan said the department launched the loan application portal and will close the first round of applications Nov. 17, with initial disbursements expected in January 2026. The program is designed to provide low‑interest loans for innovations in patient care, workforce strategies and technology integration.

Swimming lessons voucher and HB159 Jordan also reported the Swimming Lesson Voucher program expanded appropriations from $500,000 to $1 million; the agency received a high volume of applications in prior rounds and has issued thousands of vouchers, prioritizing children with autism and those in active‑duty military families. On House Bill 159 (allowing certified pharmacists to order and dispense HIV post‑exposure prophylaxis under written collaborative agreements), Jordan said certification courses are being approved and pharmacies must submit access plans to ensure linkage to primary care.

Next steps and oversight Committee members requested more granular data (for example, county level breakdowns for telehealth enrollment and counts of children disenrolled from KidCare) and the department said it would provide expanded information in the legislative reports due later this month and at the end of the year.

Jordan closed by offering the department’s contact for follow‑up and noting permanent rulemaking and reporting timelines for several programs.