Governor's Budget Recommendations

Today, Gov. Rick Scott proposed a $66.4 billion budget for next year, down from this year's $69.1 billion budget. The budget contains no cuts to Medicaid funding for nursing home care. It restores previous cuts to education by $1 billion, would cut 2,800 actual filled state jobs "all over" government and would rely on cuts in health care spending and the prison system. 

While the Governor's budget does not negatively impact nursing home funding, we want to remind our FHCA members that both the House and Senate will come out with their respective budgets not long after the session begins in January. It's important that we continue educating lawmakers about the impact the July 1st $187.5 million Medicaid cut, together with the October 1st $332 million Medicare cut, is having on facilities' ability to maintain an adequate workforce and continue delivering high-quality care to our state's seniors.

In the meantime, watch our video message by clicking here and learn how you can get involved this legislative session, which kicks off January 10, 2012. You'll hear from Sen. Thad Altman (R-24) as he shares his thoughts about the high-quality care delivered by and economic impact of Florida's long term care facilities. You'll also learn more about our 2012 legislative priorities and how you can get involved in our grassroots activities, including:

• 2012 Lobby Wednesdays - Click here to learn more.
• Get the Facts Campaign  - Spread the word about these important LTC facts.
• Safeguard Our Seniors website - Find the tools you need to advocate for our profession.

It's going to take all of us working together and staying informed to make a difference.

A Pre-Session Message from Emmett Reed

FHCA Executive Director Emmett Reed wants to encourage all those who work in and support long term care in Florida to get involved this legislative session, which kicks off January 10, 2012. Listen to his important message and hear what Sen. Thad Altman (R-24) shares about the high-quality care delivered by and economic impact of Florida's long term care facilities. You'll also learn more about our 2012 legislative priorities and how you can get involved in our grassroots activities.

Get the Facts on long term care

Today, FHCA launched its "Get the Facts" social media campaign to share facts about long term care in Florida – including the impact that Medicaid/Medicare funding cuts are having on facilities’ ability to continue delivering high-quality care. The campaign will highlight long term care statistics in Florida, information related to FHCA’s legislative priorities, including reimbursement and regulatory efficiencies, the differences between nursing homes and assisted living facilities and more. Follow FHCA on Twitter or “Like” Florida Health Care Association on Facebook to follow the campaign and retweet/share these facts with your followers and friends, using the hashtag #GetTheFacts.

Florida long term care providers take to the nation's capital to urge Congress to protect Medicaid and Medicare funding.

Hear from FHCA Executive Director Emmett Reed on members traveling to Washington, DC, to urge Members of Congress to protect and preserve Medicare and Medicaid funding for long term care services. The message: The combination of state and federal funding cuts are taking their toll on our ability to deliver high-quality care and support vital caregiver jobs. Help take action today. Click here to send a message to your Member of Congress and help stand up for our state's seniors and people with disabilities.

Newest Ad in “Care Not Cuts” Informational Campaign highlights skilled nursing facilities post-acute care focus

FHCA's national affiliate, American Health Care Association, launched the latest TV spot in its nationwide information "Care Not Cuts" ad campaign to increase awareness regarding skilled nursing facilities’ growing prominence in post-acute care and warn against additional cuts to the sector.

“We must shed current perceptions that nursing homes are only for those who need long term care. Skilled nursing facilities are also a place where people can rehabilitate and receive necessary treatment before returning home,” said Governor Mark Parkinson, President & CEO of AHCA. “Congress must especially be aware of this progression of care because additional cuts to skilled nursing facilities would only drive up health care and taxpayers costs. Restricting access to skilled nursing facilities will force more seniors to remain in the hospital for longer, pricier periods of time, or go home before they’re fully recovered; eventually sending them back to the expensive emergency room.”

Airing throughout the Washington, DC, Beltway beginning today, “Rehab” was filmed at Southlake Nursing & Rehabilitation Center in Jacksonville and features a senior who, after being in the hospital, received his post-acute care from a nursing home and then returned home. To learn more about the "Care Not Cuts" campaign, visit the website at http://www.carenotcuts.org/.

Tell Congress to Protect Quality Nursing Home Care, Preserve Caregiver Jobs

Congress is currently debating potential additional cuts to nursing homes and assisted living facilities, after already being dealt billions of dollars in cuts. While we understand the need for sacrifice, Florida's long term care facilities are already struggling from a drastic $187.5 million state Medicaid cut that went into effect earlier this year. The combination of that reduction on top of Medicare cuts from health care reform and federal regulation is taking its toll. The long term care profession simply cannot sustain additional cuts at this time without jeopardizing care and access for seniors, along with the jobs of caregivers committed to delivering that high quality care.
A group of long term care advocates from Florida will be traveling to Washington, DC, over the next several weeks to share our concerns with Congress. You can help have your voice heard by taking action today -- Click here to contact your Member of Congress and tell them to preserve, protect and defend quality nursing home care and assisted living care services for seniors and people with disabilities.

Please join us in telling Congress that continuous cuts threaten access to quality care for Florida's growing population of seniors and access to quality jobs for Florida's long term care workforce. You can also pass this link along to others and ask their help with standing up for those who cannot care for themselves.