Posted on: Oct 19, 2021
While Florida’s nursing centers have recently seen steep declines in COVID-19 cases among residents, those care centers are facing significantly worsening workforce challenges and financial burdens, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) told members of the Florida House Health and Human Services Committee today.
Posted on: Oct 13, 2021
COVID-19 cases have sharply declined in Florida’s skilled nursing centers and assisted living communities, but those facilities continue to experience significant workforce challenges that existed before the pandemic but have only worsened over the past year and a half, the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) told members of the Florida Senate’s Health Policy Committee this week.
Posted on: Sep 21, 2021
FHCA is pleased to announce that public policy expert Susan E. Anderson has joined the team as Director of Government Affairs. Susan will work under the direction of Senior Director of Government Affairs/Chief Lobbyist Toby Philpot and will assist with advancing the Association’s legislative agenda. She’ll also support members with regulatory compliance and liaison with the agencies providing state and…
Posted on: Sep 16, 2021
Florida’s nursing centers have put forth tremendous efforts to keep both their residents and staff safe since the beginning of the pandemic, and they continue to do so. It’s easy for AARP and others to look on from afar – with no direct involvement in the day-to-day operations of a nursing center – and cast judgment. Perhaps instead of producing…
Posted on: Sep 09, 2021
FHCA released the following statement regarding the Biden Administration’s announcement requiring all Medicare and Medicaid-certified health care settings to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
“We appreciate the Administration listening to the concerns about a federal mandate that only applied to nursing home staff. A broadened vaccination policy will help protect our residents who often interact with other health care professionals for…
Posted on: Aug 19, 2021
In response to the Biden Administration’s requirement that all nursing home staff be vaccinated, FHCA CEO Emmett Reed highlighed recent survey results that show the extreme staffing shortages in long-term care. “We appreciate our state and national leaders’ efforts to keep COVID-19 rates low, and our long-term care centers have been working tirelessly for more than a year and a…
Posted on: Aug 10, 2021
The vast majority of Florida nursing centers are facing significant staffing challenges that present an urgent need for investment in the long term care workforce, according to the findings of a recent survey by the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA). The survey of the organization’s nursing home and assisted living members makes clear the centers need resources to recruit and…
Posted on: Aug 05, 2021
The Florida Health Care Association has been awarded a $1.8 million grant from the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to strengthen Florida’s long term care workforce and attract more Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) into the profession. The CaregiversFL Career Program is two-year project that will focus on raising awareness about long term care as an opportunity for career…
Posted on: Aug 05, 2021
Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), state’s largest long term care association representing more than 600 long term and post-acute care facilities and over 1,000 professional members, recently elected its 2021-2022 statewide officers. These volunteer leaders were sworn in during the FHCA 2021 Annual Conference & Trade Show held in Orlando, July 25-29. Marco Carrasco, Executive Director of Susana Wesley Health…
Posted on: Aug 02, 2021
On July 28, FHCA’s Board of Directors voted to support the Association/National Center for Assisted Living Policy Statement Regarding COVID-19 Vaccinations of Long Term Care Personnel. This policy statement strongly urges the vaccination of all health care personnel and also supports all providers who adopt mandatory COVID-19 vaccination policies.
Posted on: Jun 24, 2021
In the face of significant workforce shortages in long term care, the Florida Health Care Association applauds Governor Ron DeSantis for signing legislation that makes the Personal Care Attendant program a permanent part of Florida’s long term care workforce solution. The Governor today signed House Bill 485, sponsored by Senator Aaron Bean (R-Jacksonville) and Representative Sam Garrison (R-Orange Park), establishing…
Posted on: Apr 30, 2021
“FHCA appreciates the Legislature for fully funding the nursing home Medicaid budget and supporting Florida’s nursing centers, which have been on the frontline of the COVID-19 public health emergency for over a year. Our nursing centers remain focused on doing their part to put an end to this pandemic, and proper funding ensures they have the critical resources that are…
