At-home blood pressure monitoring could save lives in Florida
February, 26 2026
High blood pressure is often called the “silent killer” and for a good reason. It remains a leading risk factor for both heart disease and stroke, the No. 1 and No. 5 causes of death in the U.S. For people who have high blood pressure, regular blood pressure checks are a simple and important way to monitor their health. Home monitoring helps people see if doctor-recommended lifestyle changes and medications are helping to lower their numbers.
What Is High Blood Pressure?
High blood pressure – also known as hypertension – happens when the force of blood pushing against the walls of your blood vessels is too high. Over time, that extra pressure can damage your heart and blood vessels, increasing the risk of heart attack, stroke, and other serious health problems. Hypertension can affect all age groups: children, young adults, adults and older adults. And because it often has no symptoms, many people do not know they have it. The only way to know you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. A diagnosis of high blood pressure will need to be made by a health care professional.
A New Opportunity
To help more Floridians diagnosed with high blood pressure monitor their numbers from home, two bills have been introduced in the Florida Legislature: SB736 sponsored by State Senator Danny Burgess and HB 781 sponsored by State Representative Hodgers. These bills would require Medicaid to cover validated at-home blood pressure monitors and cuffs, ensuring more Florida residents can regularly check their blood pressure from home.
Why This Matters
“Checking blood pressure every day is so important for people who have high blood pressure,” said Tiffany McCaskill Henderson, Florida Government Relations Director -American Heart Association. “It’s the first step to help them manage this condition and hopefully prevent heart disease, stroke and other chronic diseases, and we have an opportunity here to help people take these monitors home so they can stay on top of it.”
The Economic Impact of Hypertension in Florida
Beyond the impact on health, high blood pressure places enormous strain on Florida’s Medicaid program. According to the Florida Department of Health’s 2025 Florida Diabetes Advisory Council Legislative Report, hypertension was the costliest condition to the Medicaid program, totaling more than $1 billion in Medicaid spending in SFY 2022-23.
This staggering figure underscores why prevention and early management matter – not just for individual wellbeing, but for the sustainability of the state’s healthcare system.
Why These Bills Matter
Expanding Medicaid coverage to include at‑home blood pressure monitors is a practical step that helps more Floridians better manage their health. With validated devices and cuffs at home, people can track their numbers, follow treatment plans, and lower their risk of serious health problems.
If passed, SB 736 and HB 781 would make regular blood pressure monitoring more accessible and support better heart health across Florida.