New Florida Bill Aims to Ban Health Care Discrimination Based on Vaccination Status

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Republican lawmaker has filed a bill that would prohibit health care providers in Florida from refusing treatment to patients based on their vaccination status.

The proposal, titled the “Health Care Medical Freedom Act,” was filed Monday by Rep. Jeff Holcomb, R-Spring Hill, ahead of the legislative session that begins Jan. 13. The bill comes as state health officials consider rolling back certain vaccine requirements for schoolchildren.

Under the measure (HB 917), health care facilities and providers would be barred from discriminating against patients because they are unvaccinated. Violations could result in professional discipline.

The bill would also amend Florida’s Patient’s Bill of Rights and Responsibilities to explicitly include vaccination status among protected categories.

“A patient has the right to impartial access to medical treatment or accommodations, regardless of race, national origin, religion, handicap, vaccination status, or source of payment,” the bill states.

In addition, the proposal would require providers to give parents detailed information on the “unique risks, benefits, safety and efficacy” of each vaccine administered to children. These disclosures would have to use materials approved by the Florida Board of Medicine and the Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine.

Holcomb’s bill also creates a “conscience” exemption to the requirement that children receive a health exam within a year before enrolling in school. Current law already allows religious exemptions.

Another provision would allow ivermectin — an antiparasitic drug that gained attention during the COVID-19 pandemic — to be sold without a prescription, with pharmacists permitted to dispense it from behind the counter.

As of Monday afternoon, no Senate companion bill had been filed.

The proposal follows years of action by the Republican-led Legislature and Gov. Ron DeSantis to limit COVID-19 vaccine mandates. It also comes as the Florida Department of Health considers changes to rules that could remove school vaccination requirements for hepatitis B, chickenpox, Hib, and pneumococcal disease. Vaccines required by state law, such as polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and tetanus, would remain unless lawmakers act.

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