Title: Long-acting Reversible Contraception Pilot Program

Summary: Requiring the Department of Health to establish a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) pilot program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach Counties; requiring the department to contract with family planning providers to implement the pilot program, etc.

Full Text:
WHEREAS, the Legislature finds that programs that provide long-acting reversible contraceptive methods, along with other contraceptive methods, contribute to declines in the number of unintended pregnancies and abortions, NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida: Section 1.  The Legislature finds that this act is necessary to protect the public health, safety, and welfare. Section 2. Section 381.00515, Florida Statutes, is created to read: 381.00515 Long-acting reversible contraception pilot program.  (1)   The Department of Health shall establish a long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) pilot program in Broward, Miami Dade, and Palm Beach Counties. The purpose of the pilot program is to improve the provision of LARC services to women residing in the pilot program counties who are years of age or older.The department shall contract for LARC services with eligible family planning providers in each of the three counties. Each contract must include all of the following: (a) The provision of intrauterine devices and implants to participants. (b) The training of provider staff regarding the provision of LARC devices and implants,counseling strategies, and the management of side effects. (c) Technical assistance to providers regarding such issues as coding, billing, pharmacy rules, and clinic management necessitated by the increased use of LARC devices and implants.(d) General support to providers to expand their service capacity. (e) Marketing and community outreach regarding the availability of LARC services and other currently available contraceptive services. (f) Other services that the department considers necessary to ensure the health and safety of women who receive LARC devices or implants.(2) The department shall seek grants from federal agencies and other sources to supplement state funds provided for the pilot program. (3) By January 1, 2020, the department shall submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives on the effectiveness of the pilot program. The department shall publish the report on its website. The report must include, but need not be limited to: (a) An assessment of the operation of the pilot program, including any progress made in reducing the number of unintended pregnancies and subsequent births. (b) An assessment of the effectiveness of the pilot program in increasing the availability of LARC services. (c) The number and location of family planning providers that participated in the pilot program. (d) The number of clients served by participating family planning providers. (e) The number of times LARC services were provided by participating family planning providers. (f) The average cost per client served. (g) The demographic characteristics of clients served. (h) The sources and amounts of funding used for the program. (i) A description of federal grants the department applied for in order to provide LARC services, including the outcomes of the grant applications. (j) An analysis of the return on investment for the provision of LARC services with regard to tax dollars saved on health and social services. (k) A description and analysis of marketing and outreach activities conducted to promote the availability of LARC services. (l) Recommendations for improving the pilot program. Section 3.  For the 2018-2019 fiscal year, the sum of $75,000 in nonrecurring funds is appropriated from the General Revenue Fund to the Department of Health for the purpose of implementing this act. The department shall distribute the funds equally among the three counties participating in the pilot program. These funds may not be used to supplant or reduce any other appropriation of state funds to family planning providers or to the department for family planning services. Section 4. This act shall take effect July 1, 2018.