FHCA Applauds House Passage of Certificate of Need Legislation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 27, 2014
Contact: Kristen Knapp, APR
(850) 701-3530 or kknapp@fhca.org

Tallahassee, Fla. - “The Florida Health Care Association applauds the Florida House of Representatives today for passing HB 287. The bill preserves the current Certificate of Need (CON) law, which promotes health care cost containment, encourages home- and community-based care, and prevents unnecessary duplication of long term care services.

“As the state’s first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the residents under their care, FHCA commends bill sponsor Rep. Frank Artiles for his foresight in anticipating the needs of Florida’s senior citizens.
 
“As more Florida baby boomers transition to retirement, it is appropriate for the state to take critical steps like those outlined in this good legislation to continue our leading role among America’s most senior friendly states. With this bill, seniors in need of nursing facility care will have a high-quality setting that promotes person-centered care.
 
“The long term care demographics of our state have changed over the years, and Florida’s nursing facilities need to be ready to care for seniors when they can no longer care for themselves. This bill will provide incentives that will allow renovation or replacement of Florida’s aging facilities and the movement of nursing home beds to match those changing demographics. The provisions will assist facilities in providing the technology upgrades and other enhancements that ensure they are equipped to meet residents’ current and future needs for high-quality care.It is an excellent step forward.”

ABOUT FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION  
Celebrating its 60th Anniversary in 2014, Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation which serves nearly 1,000 members and represents over 500 long term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehab, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development and financial stability of its members. As Florida's first and largest advocacy organization for long term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about Florida Health Care Association, visit [url=http://www.fhca.org]http://www.fhca.org[/url].  

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