FHCA Provider Program - House and Senate Budgets Released

Learn how the House and Senate Chairman’s budget proposals impact nursing home care. Also hear from Sen. Aaron Bean (R-4) and FHCA President Scott Allen about why it's so important to be actively engaged in the legislative process.

CON exemption bill advances, FHCA members testify in opposition

Today, House Bill 1159 by Representative O’Toole was heard in the House Health Innovation Subcommittee. This bill preempts the current CON process for special deed-restricted communities, and while the language in this bill is focused on a single community, FHCA believes it could have negative consequences for nursing homes and long term care residents across the state.

Both FHCA Past President and Legislative Committee Chair Deborah Franklin (pictured) and Steve Bogolmilsky with Southern SNF Management testified in opposition to this bill, noting that the current CON law controls costs to the Medicaid program and ensures that nursing home care is based on the need and demand for these services. Many legislators support free markets; however, the fact is that nursing homes in Florida do not operate in a true free market system. The Legislature sets Medicaid rates for nearly 60 percent of the residents in nursing homes, and 80 percent of residents and patients rely on government funding to cover their long term care.

Although the bill passed out of this committee, it still has several stops to go, as does its companion in the Senate – Senate Bill 1482 by Senator Hayes. FHCA will continue raising our concerns with the Legislature and do all that we can to prevent this legislation in its current form from advancing.

FHCA Provider Program - ALF and Nursing Home Leaders Advocate for Long Term Care

Week three of the 2013 legislative session brought assisted living facility and nursing home members to Tallahassee over a two-day period to help FHCA bring important long term care messages to the Capitol and to help legislators gain a better understanding of the valuable care these providers deliver to Florida's frail elders.

ALF Lobby Day Highlights

Today, the House Health Innovation Subcommittee passed HB 1319 by Rep. Eddy Gonzalez (R-111). This is one of several ALF bills making their way through the Legislature this session and is the most likely to advance given that it contains many, if not all, of the Agency for Health Care Administration's recommendations.

In town today for a special ALF Lobby Day were FHCA's ALF Vice President Rosemary Carbonelli of Pines of Sarasota ALF, FCAL Committee Vice Chair Steve Schrunk of Countryside Lakes and other ALF leaders. In discussions with legislators and staff related to proposed ALF legislation, these ALF leaders asked them to consider a balanced and enforced regulatory system which supports Florida's ALF model of choice, independence, dignity, accessibility and quality of life.

Hear from Steve Schrunk about the importance of taking action in the legislative process to help lawmakers better understand the role that assisted living facilities play in the long term care continuum and the quality care they are delivering to Florida's seniors.

FHCA Provider Program - LTC Advocates Thank Governor For Protecting Medicaid Nursing Home Funding

Several volunteer leaders of FHCA met with Gov. Scott this week to thank him for protecting vital Medicaid Funding. Another successful Lobby Wednesday also brought together FHCA Florida Leaders, activity professionals, vendors and others to advocate for long term care.

Bill Calls for Review of Department of Elder Affairs

This week, the House Healthy Families Subcommittee approved HB 601 by Rep. Matt Hudson (R-80), which calls for a study of the Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA). The agency's role is expected to change in the coming years, given that some programs DOEA oversees would be largely absorbed into the new Medicaid Managed Care Program, particularly the long term care managed care component. The study would be conducted by the state's Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability. The bill's next stop is the Government Operations Subcommittee.

FHCA Provider Program - 2013 Session Underway

The 2013 legislative session gets underway. FHCA already sees two key bills advance and has members in Tallahassee to kick off Lobby Wednesdays and advocate for our long term care priorities.

Bill that Helps State and Seniors Pay for Long Term Care Advances

This afternoon, SB 794 by Sen. Jeff Brandes unanimously passed out of the Senate Children, Families and Elder Affairs Committee. This important legislation gives seniors an alternative means for paying for their long term care services while offering savings for the state's Medicaid program and, in turn, Florida taxpayers. Specifically, the bill allows for seniors to use the value of their life insurance policies to pay for much needed Medicaid long term care, be those home and community-based services or nursing home care if that type of medical care is more appropriate. Testifying in support of the bill was FHCA Reimbursement Committee Co-Chair, Doug Burr, who served on the Agency for Health Care Administration Accelerated Life Benefit Technical Advisory Workgroup this summer.

"We applaud the committee for advancing this important legislation, which is a win-win solution that will save taxpayer dollars while preserving the funding facilities need for care delivery and maintaining a stable workforce,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA Executive Director.

FHCA will keep you updated on SB 794 and the House companion, HB 535 by Rep. Jimmy Patronis, as these bills make their way through the Legislature.

House Subcommittee Advances Bill to Bring Fairness to Nursing Facilities in Florida's Courts

This morning,  HB 869 by Rep. Bill Hager (R-89) passed favorably out of the House Civil Justice Subcommittee. This bill strikes a balance to ensure those who need redress have access to the courts while ensuring that those not directly involved in providing care – investors, creditors and other individuals who have no role in the alleged act – are not included in nursing home claims. Corporate law does not allow this to occur in other business litigation; doing so raises the cost of defending a suit, artificially raises the settlement value of the claim and discourages much-needed investment in senior facilities.

“FHCA is thankful to the committee for advancing this bill. This is a good first step toward relieving the courts from frivolous lawsuits, as rising liability costs add to the chronic funding challenges already facing the long term care sector and drive up costs for residents, facilities and ultimately, taxpayers.” said Emmett Reed, FHCA Executive Director.

FHCA Unveils 2013 Long Term Care Legislative Priorities

Ensuring stable Medicaid funding for Florida nursing facilities, residents and caregivers tops agenda

Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), the state’s largest and leading advocacy organization representing long term care providers and the elders under their care, today announced its priorities for the 2013 legislative session. Topping the Association’s list will be to ask legislators to begin restoring Medicaid funding that has been cut from nursing facility (aka nursing homes) quality care over the past several years. Since 2008, Medicaid rates for nursing facility care have been reduced by $696.4 million, causing an average loss to facilities of $22.81 per patient per day ($550,000 annually).

“Long term care providers continue to struggle with operating costs, such as skilled labor and the increased use of medical technologies, which exceed Medicaid reimbursements,” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of Florida Health Care Association. “With 60 percent of nursing facility residents relying on Medicaid as their health care safety net, adequate Medicaid funding is critical to ensuring our state’s seniors continue to have access to quality long term care services.”

As an alternative option to reduce pressure off the state’s growing Medicaid budget, FHCA and its members will also advocate for legislation which will give seniors an alternative means for paying for their long term care services while offering savings for the state's Medicaid program and, in turn, Florida taxpayers. Senate Bill 794, sponsored by Senator Jeff Brandes, and House Bill 535, sponsored by Representative Jimmy Patronis, allow seniors to use the value of their life insurance policies to pay for much needed Medicaid long term care services.

Due to the Medicaid spend-down path, seniors currently in need of Medicaid long term care services must either cash surrender or outright abandon their policies. By allowing seniors to use the value of their life insurance policies to pay for much needed Medicaid long term care services, SB 794 will give seniors more choice, including whether to receive care at home for a longer period of time or cover their nursing facility care costs if that type of medical care is more appropriate. According to a study by Florida State University Center for Economic Forecasting and Analysis (Jan. 2013), this option could help between 2,645 and 2,879 seniors with covering their long term health care needs each year, saving the state and taxpayers between $79 and $93.1 million.

"We believe this legislation is a win-win solution that will save taxpayer dollars while preserving the funding facilities need for care delivery and maintaining a stable workforce,” noted Reed.

A third priority for long term care providers is to bring fairness to nursing facilities in Florida’s court system. Legislation filed by Sen. Bill Galvano (SB 1384) and Rep. Bill Hagar (HB 869) will strike a balance to ensure those who need redress have access to the courts while ensuring that those not directly involved in providing care – investors, creditors and other individuals who have no role in the alleged act – are not included in nursing home claims. Corporate law does not allow this to occur in other business litigation; doing so raises the cost of defending a suit, artificially raises the settlement value of the claim and discourages much-needed investment in senior facilities.

“Rising liability costs add to the chronic funding challenges already facing the long term care sector,” Reed continued. “Our members are committed to caring for Florida’s most frail elders at a high level of quality they expect and deserve. Reckless accusations by trial lawyers divert valuable time, attention and resources and unfairly tarnish the reputation of a trusted, high-quality facility.”

Throughout the 2013 legislative session, over 500 long term care advocates will converge on Florida’s Capitol to educate lawmakers about these and other important long term care issues. To learn more about FHCA’s 2013 legislative priorities, find resources to advocate for protecting Medicaid funding for nursing facility care and learn more about being involved in FHCA’s Safeguard Our Seniors grassroots campaign, visit www.safeguardourseniors.org.

Take Action Today - Important Bill Vote on Wednesday

On Wednesday, the Senate Committee on Children, Families and Elder Affairs will hear SB 794 by Sen. Jeff Brandes. We need your help with with contacting your legislator and asking them to support the passage of SB 794, which will give seniors an alternative means for paying for long term care services while offering savings for Florida's Medicaid program and taxpayers.

Click here to access our Take Action Alert, scroll down to enter your zip code to find your legislator and send them this important message.

SB 794 allows seniors to use the value of their life insurance policies to pay for much needed long term care services - giving them the option to receive care at home for a longer period of time or cover their nursing home care costs if that type of medical care is more appropriate. This option could help between 2,645 and 2,879 seniors with covering their long term health care needs each year, saving the state and taxpayers between $79 and $93.1 million.

For more information, review the brief, "Alternative Funding Resources for Nursing Home Care.”