GOP Rep. Wants To Make State A "Medical" Tourist Destination

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TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - Florida has beautiful beaches, amazing theme parks and several major ports which host a thriving cruise industry.

Now a north Florida Republican wants the state to market itself as a "medical tourism" destination.

The proposal, filed by Rep. Fred Costello of Ormond Beach, would require Enterprise Florida to market the state as a "destination for quality health care services." That would include efforts such as promoting the qualifications and expertise of health-care providers and promoting medical-related conferences or business opportunities in Florida.

The proposal calls for setting aside at least $3.5 million a year for medical-tourism marketing from a broader pot of tourism-marketing money.

Senate Health Policy Chairman Aaron Bean, R-Fernandina Beach, has filed an identical bill in the Senate.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.