Governor Ron DeSantis vetoes one bill

Press release from the Office of Governor Ron DeSantis

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.—Today, Governor Ron DeSantis vetoed the following bills:

HB 5015 – State Group Insurance

“The State of Florida has historically provided access to comprehensive health care
coverage at an affordable cost to state employees through the State Group Insurance Program
(Program) – a benefit used by state entities to recruit and retain highly skilled employees in
Florida’s competitive employment market.

“HB 5015 will have a negative impact on state employee families’ cost and access to
prescription drugs and supplies. The Department of Management Services (DMS) is
continuously researching industry trends and opportunities to achieve cost savings while
balancing member impact; however, a comprehensive analysis and implementation is not
feasible in an abbreviated timeframe without an abrupt impact to state employees.

“While I support DMS developing recommendations as required by the bill to reduce
the rate at which costs are increasing, the implementation of the provisions contained in the
bill will have a negative impact on thousands of Florida’s families. Therefore, the
recommendations should be carefully evaluated, with all options available for review and
approval by the entirety of the Legislature, not solely by a 14-member budget panel.”

Governor Ron DeSantis

To view Veto letter HB 5015, click here.