This week, State Rep. Matt Willhite (D-District 86) filed HB 29, a bill to ensure the continuation of treatment to a patient discharged from the hospital.
If signed into law, this legislation authorizes a hospital to offer their patients medication for up to 48 hours or through the end of the next business day after they have been discharged. This will provide individuals with essential medication when they need it most.
“Imagine leaving a hospital at 2 a.m., and there isn’t a pharmacy open to fill your prescription. Perhaps you are discharged on a holiday weekend and again, there is not an open pharmacy nearby. My bill will ensure that patients won’t have to face this problem,” Willhite said. “About 1,000 people move to the State of Florida every day, and as our state continues to grow, we must come up with innovative solutions that expand health care to all Floridians.”
Willhite filed this legislation during the 2020 legislative session. It was unanimously approved by three committees but failed to come to a vote by the full House of Representatives due to time constraints.
