The Florida Senate
BILL ANALYSIS AND FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
(This document is based on the provisions contained in the legislation as of the latest date listed below.)
Prepared By: The Professional Staff of the Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
BILL: SB 7072
INTRODUCER: Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services
SUBJECT: Cancer Funding
DATE: February 19, 2024
ANALYST STAFF DIRECTOR REFERENCE ACTION
1.
Gerbrandt
McKnight
AHS Submitted as Comm.
Bill/Fav
I. Summary:
SB 7072 bill revises s. 381.915, F.S., relating to the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program
(Casey DeSantis Program).
The bill provides that the Casey DeSantis Program is established, in addition to current law’s
existing provisions for the program’s establishment, to promote the provision of high-quality,
innovative health care for persons undergoing cancer treatment in Florida.
The bill requires the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to make cancer innovation grant
funding available through the Cancer Connect Collaborative (Collaborative) to health care
providers and facilities that demonstrate excellence in patient-centered cancer treatment or
research.
The bill codifies the Cancer Connect Collaborative in statute by providing that the Collaborative
is created within the DOH to advise the department and the Legislature on developing a holistic
approach to the state’s efforts to fund cancer research, cancer facilities, and treatments for cancer
patients. The Collaborative is authorized under the bill to make recommendations on proposed
legislation, proposed rules, best practices, data collection and reporting, issuance of grant funds,
and other proposals for state policy relating to cancer research or treatment.
The bill requires the Collaborative to develop a long-range comprehensive plan for the Casey
DeSantis Program. The Collaborative must solicit input from cancer centers, research
institutions, biomedical education institutions, hospitals, and medical providers.
The Collaborative is charged under the bill with spearheading the Cancer Innovation Fund and
to, during any fiscal year for which funds are appropriated, recommend to the DOH the awarding
of grants to support innovative cancer research and treatment models, including emerging
research and treatment trends and promising treatments that may serve as catalysts for further
research and treatments. The Collaborative is directed to give priority to applications seeking to
REVISED: BILL: SB 7072 Page 2
expand the reach of innovative cancer treatment models into underserved areas of the state. The
Collaborative must review all grant applications and make grant funding recommendations to the
DOH, and the DOH is directed under the bill to make final grant allocation awards.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the bill requires each allocation agreement issued by the DOH relating
to cancer center payments made under current law to cancer centers recognized by the National
Cancer Institute (NCI) at the National Institutes of Health as NCI-designated cancer centers or
NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, and cancer centers working toward achieving
NCI designation, must include specified requirements.
The bill may have an indeterminate fiscal impact to the DOH. See Section V., Fiscal Impact
Statement.
The bill provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
II. Present Situation:
Florida Cancer Research Programs
The Legislature funds cancer research in Florida through four main programs: William G. “Bill”
Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley Cancer Research Program (Bankhead-Coley program), the
Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, Live Like Bella Initiative - Pediatric Cancer
Research Program, and the Cancer Innovation Fund. Currently, $160.5 million is appropriated
annually for these research programs as follows:
1
Bankhead-Coley Program - $10 million Biomedical Trust Fund
Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program - $127.5 million ($111.1 General Revenue; $16.4
Trust Fund)
Live Like Bella Initiative - Pediatric Cancer Research - $3 million Biomedical Trust Fund
Florida Cancer Innovation Fund - $20 million General Revenue
William G. "Bill" Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley Cancer Research Program
In 2006, the Legislature created the William G. “Bill” Bankhead, Jr., and David Coley Cancer
Research Program (Bankhead-Coley Program) to advance progress toward cures for cancer
through grants awarded through a peer-reviewed, competitive process.
2
The program provides grants for cancer research to further the search for cures for cancer, by
pursuing the following goals:
3
Significantly expand cancer research capacity in Florida.
Improve both research and treatment through greater pediatric and adult participation in
clinical trials networks.
Reduce the impact of cancer on disproportionately impacted individuals.
1
Chapter 2023-239, Laws of Fla., see specific appropriations 462, 464, 467, and 465 respectively.
2
Section 381.922(1), F.S.
3
Section 381.922(2), F.S. BILL: SB 7072 Page 3
Currently, the Bankhead-Coley Program is funded at $10 million annually.
4
The Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program
In 2014, the Legislature created the Florida Consortium of National Cancer Institute Centers
Program, which was renamed as the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program (Casey DeSantis
Program) in 2022. The Casey DeSantis Program was established to:
5
Enhance the quality and competitiveness of cancer care in Florida;
Further a statewide biomedical research strategy directly responsive to the health needs of
Florida’s citizens; and
Capitalize on potential educational opportunities available to students.
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) is required to make payments to cancer centers
recognized by the NCI as NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers, cancer centers, and
cancer centers working toward achieving NCI designation.
6
The NCI designates institutions as:
7
Comprehensive Cancer Centers – focused on substantial transdisciplinary research that
bridges all cancer-related research areas;
Cancer Centers – focused on one research area such as clinical, prevention, cancer control or
population science research; or
Basic Laboratory Cancer Centers – focused on laboratory research and work collaboratively
with other institutions.
A participating center's annual allocation of funds is determined by a statutory tier-weighted
formula that factors in a cancer center’s reportable cancer cases; peer-review costs; and
biomedical education and training.
8
The tier designations are weighted based on the participating
cancer center’s NCI-designation status. The program’s three-tier designations are:
9
Tier 1: NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers;
Tier 2: NCI-designated cancer centers; and
Tier 3: Cancer centers seeking NCI designation and meeting additional criteria related to
their research and biomedical education.
Currently, there are two NCI-designed comprehensive cancer centers and two NCI-designated
cancer centers in Florida:
10
H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center – Comprehensive Cancer Center
Mayo Clinic Cancer Center – Comprehensive Cancer Center
The University of Florida (UF) Health Shands Cancer Hospital – Cancer Center
4
Chapter 2023-239, Laws of Fla., see specific appropriation 462.
5
Section 381.915(2), F.S.
6
Id.
7
National Cancer Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, available at:
https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers (last visited Feb. 16, 2024).
8
Section 381.915(3), F.S.
9
Section 381.915(4), F.S.
10
National Cancer Institute, NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, “Find a Cancer Centers” directory, available at:
https://www.cancer.gov/research/infrastructure/cancer-centers/find (last visited Feb. 16, 2024). BILL: SB 7072 Page 4
University of Miami (UM) Sylvester Cancer Center – Cancer Center
See chart below for the funding history of the Casey DeSantis Program:
11
FY 19-20 FY 20-21 FY 21-22 FY 22-23 FY 23-24
H. Lee Moffitt $ 25,300,898 $ 24,911,553 $ 23,313,325 $ 39,368,392 $ 38,060,795
Mayo Clinic N/A N/A N/A N/A $ 23,314,286
UF Health Shands
Cancer Hospital
$ 19,551,236 $ 20,722,858 $ 22,321,087 $ 30,721,560 $ 37,135,352
UM Sylvester
Cancer Center
$ 17,376,609 $ 16,594,331 $ 16,595,331 $ 29,910,047 $ 28,989,567
Total $ 62,228,743 $ 62,228,742 $ 62,229,743 $ 99,999,999 $ 127,500,000
Every three years, the DOH, in conjunction with participating cancer centers, must provide a
report to the Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council (CCRAB) by July 1. The report
must include the following:
12
An analysis of trending age-adjusted cancer mortality rates in the state by age group,
geographic region, and type of cancer.
Identification of trends in overall federal funding, broken down by institutional source, for
cancer-related research in the state.
A list and narrative description of collaborative grants and interinstitutional collaboration
among participating cancer centers, a comparison of collaborative grants in proportion to the
grant totals for each cancer center, a catalog of retreats and progress seed grants using state
funds, and targets for collaboration in the future and reports on progress regarding such
targets where appropriate.
Live Like Bella Initiative – Pediatric Cancer Research
The Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative was established to advance progress
toward curing pediatric cancer through grants awarded through a peer-reviewed, competitive
process.
13
The Initiative will provide grants for research to further the search for cures for
pediatric cancer, by pursuing the following goals to:
14
Significantly expand pediatric cancer research capacity in Florida.
Improve both research and treatment through greater pediatric enrollment in clinical trial
networks.
Reduce the impact of pediatric cancer on disproportionately impacted individuals.
11
Email from Ty Gentle, DOH Budget Director (Dec. 8, 2023), Final NCI Cancer Allocation Spreadsheet, (on file with the
Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services).
12
Section 381.915(8), FS.
13
Section 381.922(2), F.S.
14
Department of Health, Biomedical Research Program Funding Announcement, Fiscal Year 2023-24, available at:
https://www.floridahealth.gov/provider-and-partner-resources/research/funding-opportunity-
announcements/BRACFOAApprovedFINAL.pdf (last visited Feb. 16, 2024). BILL: SB 7072 Page 5
Currently, the Live Like Bella Initiative is funded with $3 million annually.
15
Florida Cancer Innovation Fund
The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund was established in Fiscal Year 2023-24 to fund projects
focused on innovative research in cancer care and treatment. The funding aims to provide
opportunities to break down longstanding silos between researchers, cancer facilities, and
medical providers to improve cancer research and treatment through innovative approaches to
data infrastructure and best practices.
16
Funding is limited to Florida-based institutions.
The projects funded through grant awards are required to focus on at least one of three goal areas
below:
17
Data – to identify the reasons data is slow to move or hard to access and ways to dismantle
those barriers.
Best Practices – to streamline, encourage, and incentivize the sharing of treatment best
practices among public and private entities.
Innovation – to make advancements in cutting-edge technology and clinical treatments.
Currently, the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund is funded with $20 million annually.
18
Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council (CCRAB)
The Florida Cancer Control Research Advisory Council was established by the Legislature as an
advisory body appointed to function on a continuing basis for the study of cancer and to make
recommendations on solutions and policy alternatives to the Board of Governors and the State
Surgeon General.
19
The CCRAB closely monitors Florida’s cancer burden and recommends
changes in policies, systems, and environments that lead to improved prevention, early detection,
high-quality treatment, and increased cancer serval rates.
20
The Council consists of 15 members:
21
The State Surgeon General or his or her designee within the DOH;
A representative of the H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center and Research Institute, Inc.;
A representative of the Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center of the University of Miami;
A representative of the University of Florida Shands Cancer Center;
A representative of the American Cancer Society;
A representative of the Association of Community Cancer Centers;
A member of the Florida Hospital Association who specializes in the field of oncology;
15
Chapter 2023-239, Laws of Fla., see specific appropriations 467.
16
Department of Health, Funding Opportunity Announcement, The Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, available at
https://www.floridahealth.gov/provider-and-partner-resources/research/florida-cancer-innovation-fund/index.html (last
visited Feb. 16, 2024).
17
Id.
18
Chapter 2023-239, Laws of Fla., see specific appropriation 465.
19
Section 1004.435, F.S.
20
Florida Cancer Control and Research Advisory Council, CCRAB Annual Report 2024, The State of Cancer in Florida,
available at: https://www.ccrab.org/_cache/files/c/3/c388cd5a-94e1-4342-b946-
d21f872724cc/72B5F6981BBF2571E5C3B73AF0DC1169.2024ccrab-annualreport-final.pdf (last visited Feb. 19, 2024).
21
Section 1004.435(4), F.S. BILL: SB 7072 Page 6
A member of the Florida Medical Association who specializes in the field of oncology;
A representative of the Florida Nurses Association who specializes in the field of oncology;
A representative of the Florida Osteopathic Medical Association who specializes in the field
of oncology;
A specialist in pediatric oncology research or clinical care appointed by the Governor;
A specialist in oncology clinical care or research appointed by the President of the Senate;
A current or former cancer patient or a current or former caregiver to a cancer patient
appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives;
A member of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of
Representatives; and
A member of the Senate appointed by the President of the Senate.
CCRAB members serve four year terms.
22
Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative
Established in 2023, the Florida Cancer Connect Collaborative
23
(Collaborative) is an initiative
created by First Lady Casey DeSantis in partnership with the DOH and the Agency for Health
Care Administration. The Collaborative is a team made up of medical professionals and
government officials who analyze Florida’s approach to combatting cancer. The goal of the
Collaborative is to break down long-standing silos between researchers, cancer facilities, and
medical providers to improve cancer research and treatment. According to the Governor and
First Lady, the Collaborative has five main objectives:
24
Data – The Collaborative will seek to identify the reasons data is slow to move or hard to
access and dismantle those barriers.
Best practices – The Collaborative will seek to streamline, encourage and incentivize the
sharing of treatment best practices among public and private entities so that everyone is
treated with the most effective treatment possible.
Innovation – The Collaborative will identify the reasons that technology gets held up —
whether it be special interests, over-litigiousness or bureaucratic red tape — and recommend
ways to eliminate these barriers.
Funding – The Collaborative will provide recommendations for the implementation of the
Governor’s proposed $170 million in funding to improve the pace of cancer research and
novel technologies.
Honesty – The Collaborative will be tasked with identifying the ways to ensure cancer
causes, treatment, prevention, and diagnosis information is available and easy to access.
22
Section 1004.435(4), F.S.
23
The Cancer Connect Collaborative is an expansion of Cancer Connect, an initiative launched by First Lady Casey DeSantis
in August 2022 to provide cancer information and survivor stories.
24
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces the Cancer Connect Collaborative to Explore
Innovative Strategies for Cancer Treatment and Care, available at: https://www.flgov.com/2023/02/23/first-lady-casey-
DeSantis-announces-the-cancer-connect-collaborative-to-explore-innovative-strategies-for-cancer-treatment-and-care/ (last
visited Feb. 16, 2024). BILL: SB 7072 Page 7
III. Effect of Proposed Changes:
Section 1 revises s. 381.915, F.S., relating to the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program
(Casey DeSantis Program).
The bill provides that the Casey DeSantis Program is established, in addition to current law’s
existing provisions for the program’s establishment, to promote the provision of high-quality,
innovative health care for persons undergoing cancer treatment in Florida.
The bill requires the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to make cancer innovation grant
funding available through the Cancer Connect Collaborative (Collaborative) to health care
providers and facilities that demonstrate excellence in patient-centered cancer treatment or
research.
The bill codifies the Collaborative in statute by providing that the Collaborative is a council
25
as
defined in s. 20.03, F.S., created within the DOH to advise the department and the Legislature on
developing a holistic approach to the state’s efforts to fund cancer research, cancer facilities, and
treatments for cancer patients. The Collaborative is authorized under the bill to make
recommendations on proposed legislation, proposed rules, best practices, data collection and
reporting, issuance of grant funds, and other proposals for state policy relating to cancer research
or treatment.
The bill provides for membership of the Collaborative, to be chaired by the State Surgeon
General who will serve as an ex officio, non-voting member. The remaining membership of the
Collaborative will be composed as follows, all of whom are to be voting members, with
appointments to be made by September 1, 2024:
Two members appointed by the Governor, one member appointed by the President of the
Senate, and one member appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives,
prioritizing their appointments on members who have the following experience or expertise:
o The practice of a health care profession specializing in oncology clinical care or research;
o The development of preventive and therapeutic treatments to control cancer;
o The development of innovative research into the causes of cancer, the development of
effective treatments for persons with cancer, or cures for cancer; or
o Management-level experience with a cancer center licensed under ch. 395, F.S.
A Florida resident who can represent the interests of cancer patients in this state, appointed
by the Governor.
The bill provides for members to have staggered terms and for vacancies to be filled. The bill
provides that members will serve without compensation but are entitled to reimbursement for per
diem and travel expenses pursuant to s. 112.061, F.S.
Under the bill, the Collaborative shall meet as necessary, but at least quarterly, at the call of the
chair. A majority of the members of the Collaborative constitute a quorum, and a meeting may
25
Section 20.03, F.S., defines a “council” or an “advisory council” as an advisory body created by specific statutory
enactment and appointed to function on a continuing basis for the study of the problems arising in a specified functional or
program area of state government and to provide recommendations and policy alternatives. BILL: SB 7072 Page 8
not be held with less than a quorum present. To establish a quorum, the Collaborative may
conduct its meetings through teleconference or other electronic means.
The bill requires the Collaborative to develop a long-range comprehensive plan for the Casey
DeSantis Program. The Collaborative must solicit input from cancer centers, research
institutions, biomedical education institutions, hospitals, and medical providers. The plan must
be submitted to the President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and the
Executive Office of the Governor no later than December 1, 2024. The plan must include, but
need not be limited to, the following components:
Expansion of grant funding opportunities to include a broader pool of Florida-based cancer
centers, research institutions, biomedical education institutions, hospitals, and medical
providers to receive funding through the Cancer Innovation Fund.
An evaluation to determine metrics that focus on patient outcomes, quality of care, and
efficacy of treatment.
A compilation of best practices relating to cancer research or treatment.
The Collaborative is charged under the bill with spearheading the Cancer Innovation Fund and
to, during any fiscal year for which funds are appropriated, recommend to the DOH the awarding
of grants to support innovative cancer research and treatment models, including emerging
research and treatment trends and promising treatments that may serve as catalysts for further
research and treatments. The Collaborative is directed to give priority to applications seeking to
expand the reach of innovative cancer treatment models into underserved areas of the state. The
Collaborative must review all grant applications and make grant funding recommendations to the
DOH, and the DOH is directed under the bill to make final grant allocation awards.
The bill revises the requirements under current law for the DOH to issue a report every three
years to the Florida Cancer Control & Research Advisory Council (CCRAB). Under the bill,
beginning July 1, 2025, the report must be issued every year to the CCRAB and the
Collaborative and requires the DOH to submit the report to the Governor and Legislative
leadership no later than September 15 each year.
Beginning July 1, 2024, the bill requires each allocation agreement issued by the DOH relating
to cancer center payments made under current law to cancer centers recognized by the NCI at the
National Institutes of Health as NCI-designated cancer centers or NCI-designated comprehensive
cancer centers, and cancer centers working toward achieving NCI designation, must include the
following:
A line-item budget narrative documenting the annual allocation of funds to a cancer center;
A cap on the annual award of 15 percent for administrative expenses;
A requirement for the cancer center to submit quarterly reports of all expenditures made by
the cancer center with funds received through the Casey DeSantis Program;
A provision to allow the DOH and other state of Florida auditing bodies to audit all financial
records, supporting documents, statistical records, and any other documents pertinent to the
allocation agreement; and
A provision requiring the annual reporting of outcome data and protocols utilized in
achieving those outcomes.
BILL: SB 7072 Page 9
Section 2 provides an effective date of July 1, 2024.
IV. Constitutional Issues:
A. Municipality/County Mandates Restrictions:
None.
B. Public Records/Open Meetings Issues:
None.
C. Trust Funds Restrictions:
None.
D. State Tax or Fee Increases:
None.
E. Other Constitutional Issues:
None identified.
V. Fiscal Impact Statement:
A. Tax/Fee Issues:
None.
B. Private Sector Impact:
None.
C. Government Sector Impact:
The Florida Department of Health (DOH) may experience operational and fiscal impacts
from carrying out its duties under the bill. Such impacts are indeterminate.
VI. Technical Deficiencies:
None.
VII. Related Issues:
None.
VIII. Statutes Affected:
This bill substantially amends section 381.915 of the Florida Statutes. BILL: SB 7072 Page 10
IX. Additional Information:
A. Committee Substitute – Statement of Changes:
(Summarizing differences between the Committee Substitute and the prior version of the bill.)
None.
B. Amendments:
None.
This Senate Bill Analysis does not reflect the intent or official position of the bill’s introducer or the Florida Senate.