The "Health Care Freedom Act" proposes significant changes to Florida's healthcare laws, particularly concerning abortion services and gender-affirming care. It seeks to repeal existing statutes that restrict state funding for travel related to abortion and sex-reassignment procedures, while introducing a new requirement for healthcare facilities to provide written notice to patients about services they refuse to offer. These facilities must also submit a list of refused services to the Department of Health, which will maintain a public record of this information. The bill aims to enhance transparency and ensure patients are informed about potential service denials.

Additionally, House Bill 681 amends various sections of Florida Statutes, including the prohibition of telehealth for abortion procedures and the removal of exceptions for abortions in cases of fatal fetal abnormalities or pregnancies resulting from rape, incest, or human trafficking. It expands Medicaid coverage to include treatments for gender dysphoria and prohibits discrimination based on gender identity. The bill also mandates annual reports from the Medicaid agency to address overpayments and fraud, updates licensing requirements for mental health service providers, and includes provisions for the immediate suspension of licenses for certain criminal offenses. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
H 681 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