Committee adopts changes to NICA funding and reimbursement structure amid family testimony

Representative Anderson presented CS for HB 1291 to address Florida's Birth‑related Neurological Injury Compensation Association (NICA) funding shortfalls and specify triggers and reassessments if reserves fall below actuarial thresholds. The strike‑all requires reimbursement of certain medical expenses incurred before 06/30/2025, clarifies when expenses paid by other sources are not reimbursable, and revises the order of assessments should NICA become actuarially unsound.

Public testimony included NICA representatives in support and legal advocates urging retention of the word "directly" to preserve decades of case law about the scope of immunity; Laura Yomis said striking that word risks reopening threshold litigation about who qualifies for immunity. Family members with lived NICA experience told the committee that the program is critical to their children's care and urged action to secure funding. Representative Anderson said the bill balances solvency with keeping commitments to families and described a stepped funding approach beginning with the insurance regulatory trust fund and then assessments on providers and insurers.

The bill was adopted and reported favorably.