Focus on Florida

Category: Legislative

2024 Legislative Session - Week Eight Update

Posted on: Feb 29, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

With just one week left in the 2024 session, legislators began conferencing on the budget, the point at which key members of the House and Senate come together to negotiate over differences between each chamber’s respective budget bills. Tuesday was the last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings, so bills that still have references to committees are unlikely to make…

2024 Legislative Session - Week Seven Update

Posted on: Feb 22, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

FHCA wrapped up our 2024 Lobby Wednesdays this week with an awesome crowd of FHCA leaders, passionate professionals and tender-hearted residents who all came to make the voices of long term care heard. With a few weeks still left in session, there’s still more work to be done. Many committees held their last meetings, given that the end of session…

Residents’ Right to Vote

Posted on: Feb 20, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

With 2024 being a General Election year, it’s important to remember that long term care residents have the right to participate as little, or as much as they want, in the voting process. It’s often difficult for them, however, given their physical limitations and transportation issues. A good resource to review for assisting your residents with their rights to vote…

2024 Legislative Session - Week Six Update

Posted on: Feb 15, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

We have reached the point in the legislative session where the subcommittees are no longer meeting and only the larger committees continue to hear bills. This means legislation not yet heard in all of its subcommittees of reference has very little chance of passing. FHCA team members continue to engage with lawmakers on priorities and the bills that are still…

2024 Legislative Session - Week Five Update

Posted on: Feb 08, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

With lawmakers in week five of the legislative session, FHCA’s Lobby Wednesdays, sponsored by Marsh McLennan Agency, Medline Industries and Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc., continues to play a key role in our strategy to secure a Medicaid funding increase for our members.

2024 Legislative Session - Week Four Update

Posted on: Feb 01, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

FHCA welcomed Lilac Health Group, Palm Garden Healthcare, Bedrock Care, Clear Choice Health Care and Life Care Centers of America for this week’s Lobby Wednesday. The Legislature continued work on the FY 2024-2025 state budget, with additional legislative activity including the passage of bills that would allow for spouses to be admitted into the State Veterans’ Nursing Homes, licensure by…

2024 Legislative Session - Week Three Update

Posted on: Jan 25, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

This week’s Lobby Wednesday included representatives from Avante Group, Pines of Sarasota, Topaz Fiscal Services, FHCA District VI, Guardian Pharmacy and Medline Industries joining us at the Capitol to advocate for the profession. These member visits timed with the House and Senate releasing their proposed budgets for FY 2024-2025, giving our members an important opportunity to inform legislators about how…

2024 Legislative Session - Week Two Update

Posted on: Jan 18, 2024
Listed in: Legislative

This was the first Lobby Wednesday of the 2024 session, which included representatives from DOS Health Care, MenorahLife, Health Services Management, Elite Medical Staffing, Polaris Pharmacy Services and the Florida Leaders program. We also welcomed team members from Medline Industries and Health Care Professional Consulting Services, Inc., two of our three our Legislative Initiatives Sponsors. Legislative action included the Senate…

Legislative Committee Week 12.11.23

Posted on: Dec 12, 2023
Listed in: Legislative

The Florida Legislature has just completed its last week of committee meetings before the start of the 2024 session on January 9, 2024. One of the main priorities from Senate President Kathleen Passidomo (R-Naples) is her Live Healthy package of legislation that is designed to “grow Florida’s health care workforce, increase access, and incentivize innovation.” Other legislative activity focused on…

Legislative Committee Week Update 11.13.23

Posted on: Nov 15, 2023
Listed in: Legislative

The Florida Legislature convened again this week for another round of committee meetings in advance of the 2024 session. The Senate Health Policy Committee held a Panel Discussion on Innovative Approaches to Health Care Workforce Challenges with Jennifer Lawrence of Aston Health testifying on behalf of FHCA. Other bills of interest include the Veteran’s Long Term Care Facilities Admissions bill,…

Legislative Committee Week Update 11.7.23

Posted on: Nov 07, 2023
Listed in: Legislative

The Florida Legislature is at the midway point of committee weeks before the start of the 2024 session, which begins in January. Several bills have been introducted that may have an impact on long term care providers, including legislation related to admissions in Veterans’ long term care centers, ALF tort reform and end-of-life care. Several bills have also been filed…

2023 Legislative Session: Week Nine Activity

Posted on: May 04, 2023
Listed in: Legislative

Today will mark the end of the 2023 legislative session, with the Legislature expected to Sine Die later today after they vote on the state FY 2023-2024 budget. The budget includes 4% ($93 million) increase to the quality component of Medicaid funding for nursing center care, along with an additional 1% increase of recurring funding ($31.8 million) applied across the…