FHCA kicks off Lobby Wednesdays

FHCA members Consulate Health Care, Hathaway Resources and Ponce de Leon were in town today to kick off the Association's 2010 Lobby Wednesdays. More than 20 nursing home administrators and vendors who support our interests traveled to Tallahassee to help us discuss several priorities which FHCA will focus on for the 2010 session. Issues of importance include protecting the funding for nursing home residents' quality care; ensuring a cost effective delivery of long term care services while preserving Florida's economy and safeguarding taxpayers' interests; working with AHCA and Rep. Matt Hudson (R-101) on their regulatory relief bill to help eliminate duplicative requirements for long term care providers; and strengthening resident protections by ensuring background screening legislation does not limit providers' access to a qualified workforce.

FHCA has developed issue papers on each of these priorities, which can be found on our Web site. They address each of our issues:

• Protecting the funding to ensure resident quality care


• Ensuring cost-effective delivery of long term care services


• Preserving state resources by eliminating duplicative requirements and regulations

Also included on the FHCA Web site is the FHCA position regarding background screening legislation.

The next Lobby Wednesday will take place March 10th, and if you haven't participated in Lobby Wednesdays before, don't worry! FHCA can team you up with fellow members to visit your lawmakers in groups. FHCA staff conducts an in-depth briefing to prepare you for communicating our issues effectively during those meetings, and we do our best to make your experience a success. To learn more about how to participate, click here or contact Teresa Hamlin of our staff if you have any questions.