The "Health Care Freedom Act," also known as House Bill 823, proposes significant changes to Florida's laws regarding abortion services and gender-affirming care. The bill seeks to repeal existing statutes that restrict the use of state funds for travel related to abortion and sex-reassignment procedures, while introducing a new requirement for healthcare facilities to adopt a policy by October 1, 2025, that outlines services they refuse to provide. These facilities must submit their lists of refused services to the Department of Health, which will also publish this information online. The bill amends various existing laws, including the removal of the definition of "fatal fetal abnormality," changes to abortion timeframes, and the elimination of telehealth restrictions for abortion services.

In addition to the changes surrounding abortion, the bill establishes new provisions for gender-affirming care, mandating Medicaid reimbursement for necessary treatments related to gender dysphoria and prohibiting discrimination based on gender identity. It also repeals certain sections of existing law concerning sex-reassignment procedures and modifies definitions related to sex and gender in medical contexts. Furthermore, the bill requires the Medicaid agency to produce an annual report on fraud prevention and recovery, including fiscal analyses and performance metrics. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, reflecting a substantial shift in the legal framework governing reproductive rights and gender-affirming care in Florida.

Statutes affected:
H 823 Filed: 286.31, 286.311, 381.96, 390.011, 390.012, 456.47, 456.52, 61.517, 61.534, 409.908, 409.913, 456.074, 636.0145