Florida

DeSantis Signs Massive Healthcare Package Addressing Statewide Staffing Shortages

Share

BONITA SPRINGS, FL—Thursday afternoon Governor Ron DeSantis signed a series of healthcare-oriented bills as part of Florida's "Live Healthy" package, designed to broaden healthcare access and increase Florida's dwindling medical workforce.

Live Healthy, an initiative comprised of two Republican-led bills, was spearheaded by Senate President Kathleen Passidomo through and out of the Legislature.

"We are taking action to bolster our healthcare workforce to keep pace with our state’s unprecedented growth," Desantis said at a Thursday afternoon press conference. “I applaud Senate President Passidomo for her dedication to this cause, which contributes to positioning Florida as the freest and healthiest state in the nation.”

Working in conjunction, one bill expands training programs for healthcare workers, hoping to grow Florida's current shortage of medical professionals, while the other provides funding for healthcare research, production, and technology.

"The broad appeal of the free state of Florida continues to attract families, businesses, and seniors," Passidomo said, referring to Florida's title as the fastest-growing state in 2022 and 2023.

"Live Healthy will grow the healthcare workforce we need to serve our communities, increase access, and incentivize innovation, so Floridians can have more options and opportunities to live healthy."

By 2035, the Florida Medical Association reports that the Sunshine State will have a shortage of 17,924 physicians, 5,974 traditional primary care specialists, 1,519 emergency room physicians, 1,434 hospitalists, 1,230 psychiatrists, and 737 infectious disease specialists, among others, and as of 2021, 92% of Florida nursing centers faced staffing issues.

These alarming numbers have led lawmakers to take action in creating, enticing, and keeping Florida medical professionals.

In addition to the Live Healthy bills, DeSantis signed another three bills assisting the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, increasing opportunities for advanced behavioral healthcare, and creating public record exemptions for certain practitioners.

"Expanding access to care for pregnant moms and Floridians in rural and underserved areas will help make Florida a healthier state,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo at the press conference.

 

Liv Caputo

Livia Caputo is a senior at Florida State University, working on a major in Criminology, and a triple minor in Psychology, Communications, and German. She has been working on a journalism career for the past year, and hopes to become a successful reporter after graduation. Her work has been cited in Fox News, the New York Post, and the Daily Mail

Recent Posts

Byron Donalds Says Florida Primed to be the 'Financial Capitol of the World'

DORAL—During a political breakfast fundraiser hosted by the Miami-Dade Republican Executive Committee, gubernatorial candidate Rep.…

6 hours ago

Gov. Greg Abbot Thanks Florida, DeSantis Following Deadly Texas Floods

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott thanked Florida and Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday for the state's…

7 hours ago

Trump Admin Pushes Back on Accusations of Poor Conditions at 'Alligator Alcatraz'

A prominent outlet of President Donald Trump's administration, Rapid Response 47, pushed back on accusations…

7 hours ago

Salazar Requests Trump Sanction Brazilian Judge

US Representative Maria Elvira-Salazar (R-FL) has requested President Donald Trump impose sanctions on Brazilian Supreme…

1 day ago

Luna Says Democrats 'Don't Care About Illegals,' Says Rhetoric is 'Propaganda for Midterms'

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) did not mince words in dismissing Democratic rhetoric about illegal…

1 day ago

Last Squeeze🍊—7.11.2025—Alligator Alcatraz—Miami-Dade—'Defund the Police'—Much More...

Florida Lawmakers Sue DeSantis in State Supreme Court to get Alligator Alcatraz Entry Five Florida…

1 day ago