News & Publications

Press Releases

Long-Term Caregivers Bring Message to Lawmakers: Florida Seniors Need Proper Funding of Nursing Home Quality Care in the State Budget

Posted on: Apr 01, 2019

Nursing home administrators, frontline nurses, and other long-term caregivers will descend on the Florida Capitol Wednesday to ask lawmakers to renew the $138 million Medicaid funding increase approved last year to preserve quality care and protect caregiver jobs in Florida’s nursing homes. The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) members will show legislators exactly how much the loss of the increase…

Coalition for Silver Solutions Announced

Posted on: Mar 27, 2019

Three of the state’s leading organizations focused on the long-term care of Florida’s large and growing elderly population joined forces with legislators today to announce a new coalition aimed at placing seniors at the top of the legislative priority list. AARP, the Florida Health Care Association, and LeadingAge Florida have formed the Coalition for Silver Solutions, committed to developing short-…

FHCA Statement on House Passing Bill to End Certificate of Need (HB 21)

Posted on: Mar 20, 2019

The Florida Health Care Association disagrees with those who would include nursing centers in provisions of House Bill 21 eliminating the Certificate of Need process. We will continue to offer members of the House insights into the negative effects that will occur if this bad bill continues to move forward unaltered.

FHCA Statement on SB 1088 - Modernizing Staffing

Posted on: Mar 11, 2019

Nursing home care has changed dramatically since Florida implemented staffing standards in 2001. Senate Bill 1088 will modernize Florida’s staffing standards by recognizing the importance of the entire care planning team when it comes to the health and well-being of residents. We applaud Senator Albritton for giving centers the flexibility to best meet the needs of their residents.

FHCA Statement on HB 21 - Certificate of Need

Posted on: Mar 07, 2019

The Florida Health Care Association disagrees with the inclusion of nursing centers in House Bill 21. Thanks to the existing Certificate of Need process, Florida has attained a system that strikes the right balance, enabling a greater number of individuals to receive care in their own homes rather than institutional settings.

FHCA gives over $41,000 to aid caregivers impacted by Hurricane Michael

Posted on: Feb 07, 2019

FHCA recently presented a check for $41,400 to member employees whose centers were impacted by Hurricane Michael. The funds were spread among 138 caregivers in the Panhandle who applied for financial assistance to aid in their recovery efforts. Nurses, certified nursing assistants, social workers, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance and laundry staff, along with employees working in administration in 10 member centers…

There’s another side to Florida’s nursing home care, and it deserves to be told

Posted on: Dec 21, 2018

As someone who worked in the nursing home profession for over 20 years, I was disheartened to read the recent Neglected to Death series, which paints what I believe is an unfairly a negative picture of the care we provide.

CNA Essay Contest Winner shares how Compassion is used to Create a Community of Caring

Posted on: Nov 29, 2018

FHCA is pleased to recognize Carlyn Registe, CNA at Rehabilitation and Health Care Center of Tampa, as the 2018 winner of FHCA’s CNA Essay Contest. Carlyn has been a CNA for 11 years and focused on “compassion” as the key to quality care for her residents. This year’s contest focused on the theme, “CNAs: Creating a Community of Caring” where…

FHCA Scholarships Helping Long Term Caregivers Advance Their Careers

Posted on: Nov 11, 2018

FHCA is pleased to have awarded 12 member employees with a combined $11,500 in scholarships from the FHC Education and Development Foundation. Both the Career Climb and Bruce Taylor Scholarships, awarded through the Foundation are helping member employees like Laquita Brunson, a CNA with Fletcher Health & Rehabilitation Center in Tampa, with advancing their careers in long term care.

Statement from Emmett Reed on Hurricane Irma Anniversary

Posted on: Sep 07, 2018

“Last year’s tragedy during Hurricane Irma has served as an immeasurable motivator for our member nursing centers and assisted living facilities to remain prepared to keep our more than 70,000 residents safe throughout the current and future storm seasons. Compliance with regulations to keep residents safe is a responsibility our member centers have and always will take seriously. At the…

Strength Through the Storm

Posted on: Jul 13, 2018

Throughout the duration of Hurricane Irma, FHCA members performed over 60 successful evacuations, while more than 500 other centers successfully sheltered their residents in place.

CRC Temporarily Postpones Proposal 88

Posted on: Mar 20, 2018

“Florida Health Care Association wants to thank Commissioner Brecht Heuchan and the entire Constitution Revision Commission for withdrawing Proposal 88. We believe the Legislature is the proper place for these types of discussions and look forward to working together with Florida lawmakers, regulators and other stakeholders on policies that prioritize resident care.”