Who Enforces Health and Safety Law?

Health and Safety laws are regulated by various agency officials and theses are arguably the most crucial jobs in our community. Most people do not take the time to adequately research their healthcare providers prior to receiving healthcare services or medication. However, several agencies have been established to safeguard and regulate the health and safety of the healthcare services that consumers receive. These agencies can’t replace individual due diligence but they make every attempt to prevent patient harm and to eliminate fraudulent activity in the healthcare system.

Florida Department of Health

The Florida Department of Health (DOH) was the first accredited public health system in the United States. Their mission is to protect and improve on the health of all people in Florida by regulating healthcare practitioners and facilities. They offer programs and services for the Florida community, but they are also responsible for the licensing and regulation of various healthcare practitioners and facilities. Various healthcare professions must be licensed and are regulated via the Florida Department of Health such as: medical doctors, acupuncturist, optometrists, and many more. Certain facilities such as piercing salons and pharmacies are also regulated by the Department of Health. Complaints can be filed against any of the practitioners or facilities, which will then be investigated by an officer for violations. The complaint is referred over to the Probably Cause Panel, which will determine whether to file an Administrative Complaint against the healthcare provider based on the weight of the evidence that is provided by the complainant and the provider who under investigation. It is not uncommon for the DOH to place an emergency restriction on a provider’s license if they pose an imminent danger to patient safety. If a violation is found, the Department of Health will determine appropriate disciplinary action to enforce the regulations, which includes, probation, suspension, or even revocation of a healthcare provider’s license.

Agency for Health Care Administration

The Agency for Health Care Administration (“AHCA”) was established in Florida to regulate the Medicaid system and healthcare providers who offer services to Medicaid beneficiaries. AHCA administers background screening, compiles healthcare data, and monitors the quality of care and civil rights complaints within healthcare facilities. They also license various healthcare facilities throughout Florida such as assisted living facilities, health care clinics, home health agencies, and many more.

Department of Health and Human Services

The Department of Health and Human Services has a family of agencies to provide services on local levels through state and county agencies. Some of these agencies include:

• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) proposes and publishes regulations yearly for those programs under medicare.gov, healthcare.gov, and more. CMS also enforces compliance with clearinghouses and healthcare providers and conducts audits regularly. CM provides health coverage to more than 100 million people through Medicare, Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Health Insurance Marketplace. CMS seeks to strengthen and modernize the Nation’s health care system, to provide access to high quality care and improved health at lower costs.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) is one of the most widely known organizations within the Department of Health and Human Services. The mission statement of the CDC to protect the America people from health, safety and security threats, both foreign and in the U.S. Whether diseases start at home or abroad, are chronic or acute, curable or preventable, human error or deliberate attack, CDC fights disease and supports communities and citizens to do the same. CDC increases the health security of our nation. As the nation’s health protection agency, CDC saves lives and protects people from health threats. The CDC conducts critical science and provides health information that protects America against expensive and dangerous health threats, and responds when these arise. This is a science based organization that works to protect communities from health threats. The U.S. Secretary for Human and Health Services has authorized the CDC to carry out and enforce functions for isolation and quarantine to prevent exposure to contagious diseases.
• The Office of Inspector General (“OIG”) is another department within the Department of Health and Human Services that works to improve the efficiency of many health based programs. They are the largest office in the Federal Government. They investigate complaints based on fraud, waste, abuse, and misconduct. The majority of the agency’s resources go towards the oversight of Medicare and Medicaid — programs that represent a significant part of the Federal budget and that affect this country’s most vulnerable citizens. The OIG has the authority to exclude individuals and entities from Federally funded health care programs for a variety of reasons, including a conviction for Medicare or Medicaid fraud. Those that are excluded can receive no payment from Federal health care programs for any items or services they furnish, order, or prescribe. This includes those that provide health benefits funded directly or indirectly by the United States (other than the Federal Employees Health Benefits Plan).
• The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for protecting the public health by assuring the safety, efficacy, and security of human and veterinary drugs, biological products, medical devices, our nation’s food supply, cosmetics, and products that emit radiation. The FDA conducts research on various food and drug safety protocols. They create reports to share with the general public to spread accurate information. The FDA also works closely with drug manufacturers to ensure the production of safe and effective drugs. They are accountable for overseeing quality control, delays, and discontinuations of drugs and medications. The agency works closely to reduce or prevent shortages. The supervision and regulation of the manufacturing, marketing, and distribution of tobacco products to protect the public health and to reduce tobacco use by minors is also a crucial role played by the FDA.

These are just a few of the hundreds of agencies established to protect our communities from safety and health emergencies. Each agency regulates their own sections within each community or program.

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It should be noted that I am not your lawyer (unless you have presently retained my services through a retainer agreement). This post is not intended as legal advice, it is purely educational and informational, and no attorney-client relationship shall result after reading it. Please consult your own attorney for legal advice. If you do not have one and would like to retain my legal services, please contact me using the contact information listed above.

All information and references made to laws, rules, regulations, and advisory opinions were accurate based on the law as it existed at this time, but laws are constantly evolving. Please contact me to be sure that the law which will govern your business is current. Thank you.