Department of Health

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What is the purpose of the department?

The Florida Department of Health works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county, and community efforts. The department is the registrar of vital statistics and administrator of laws and rule relating to sanitation control of communicable diseases, illnesses, and hazards to health among humans and from animals to human. The department is also responsible for emergency preparedness and disaster response functions; ensures the safety of food and drugs; and provides surveillance and control of radiological, chemical, biological, and other environmental hazards.

What programs and services does the department provide?

The department provides a wide range of services through a number of programs. The department's major programs are described below.

Children's Medical Services (CMS). This is a collection of programs that serve children with special health care needs using a family-centered model of care with a network of specially qualified physicians, nurses and other professionals around the state.
Community Public Health. This program carries out the department's mission to protect and promote the health and safety of all people in Florida through the delivery of public health services. Program responsibilities also include the delivery of public health services across the state through Florida's 67 county health departments.
Disability Determinations. This program determines eligibility for Florida citizens who apply for disability benefits under the federal Social Security Act or the state's Medically Needy Program.
Medical Quality Assurance (MQA). This program regulates health care professionals in order to protect the health and safety of all citizens and visitors to the state who access health care services.

How are these activities funded?

The Legislature funds the Department of Health with appropriations from general revenue as well as from numerous federal and state trust funds.

Fiscal Year: 2022-23

	Fund	Dollars	Positions
HEALTH, DEPARTMENT OF
PROGRAM: CHILDREN'S MEDICAL SERVICES
	CHILDREN'S SPECIAL HEALTH CARE	850,909,105	335.50
PROGRAM: COMMUNITY PUBLIC HEALTH
	COMMUNITY HEALTH PROMOTION	1,077,509,067	247.50
	COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENTS LOCAL HEALTH NEEDS	1,251,190,838	9,026.51
	DISEASE CONTROL AND HEALTH PROTECTION	668,675,860	630.50
	STATEWIDE PUBLIC HEALTH SUPPORT SERVICES	293,749,226	453.00
PROGRAM: DISABILITY DETERMINATIONS
	DISABILITY BENEFITS DETERMINATION	169,089,357	1,147.00
PROGRAM: EXECUTIVE DIRECTION AND SUPPORT
	ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT	94,537,307	380.50
PROGRAM: HEALTH CARE PRACTITIONER AND ACCESS
	MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE	70,661,418	612.50
TOTAL		4,476,322,178	12,833.01

Source: www.transparencyflorida.gov

Updates

The 2021 Legislature enacted several laws related to the Department of Health.

Maternal Health Outcomes. Chapter 2021-238, Laws of Florida, revises the Department of Health's duties under Closing the Gap grant program to include coordinating with maternal health programs; revises requirements for Closing the Gap grant proposals to include the option of addressing racial and ethnic disparities in severe maternal morbidity rates and other maternal health outcomes; requires the Department to establish telehealth minority maternity care pilot programs in Duval and Orange Counties; provides for funding of pilot programs; and authorizes the Department to adopt rules.
Rare Disease Advisory Council. Chapter 2021-122, Laws of Florida, creates the rare disease advisory council adjunct to the Department of Health for the purpose of providing recommendations on ways to improve health outcomes for Floridians who have a rare disease, defined as a condition that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S; and prescribes the duties and responsibilities of the advisory council.
Office of Minority Health and Health Equity. Chapter 2021-117, Laws of Florida, requires the Office of Minority Health and Health Equity to develop and promote statewide implementation of policies, programs, and practices that increase health equity in Florida; requires one representative from each county health department to serve as minority health liaison; requires the Department of Health to maintain current data on health disparities and issues affecting racial and ethnic minority populations in the state and resources for providers on its website; and requires the office to serve as liaison to and assist the federal offices of Minority Health and Regional Health Operation.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

A complete list of related OPPAGA reports is available on our website.

Where can I get more information?

Other Reports
Agency Strategic Plan 2016-2020, Florida Department of Health, Revised September 2020.
The Florida State Health Improvement Plan 2017-2021, Revised June 2019.
The Auditor General reports on department operations are available on its website.
Websites of Interest
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Department of Health, Press Releases
National Institutes of Health
Florida Department of Health, Statistics and Data
Prescription Drug Monitoring Program
Public Health Accreditation Board
United Health Foundation, America's Health Rankings
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration
Performance Information
Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Sections 20.43 and 20.435, Florida Statutes.

Whom do I contact for help?

Department of Health, 850-245-4444, email: https://wa-oit-contactus-prd.azurewebsites.net/

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