House Sets Stage for DOH Restructure Vote

The House looks set to vote on a plan to reorganize the Florida Department of Health.

Introduced by Rep. Matt Hudson, R-Naples, the legislation reduces the Department of Healths mission from 13 to seven responsibilities and would require DOH to propose a new organizational structure, including reduction of divisions and bureaus, to the Legislature by November 2010.

When the measure was in committee, the bill received fierce opposition from Surgeon General Ana Viamonte Ros and House Democrats. It received far less opposition on the House floor today. The bill was amended and was moved to third reading without any debate.