FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 19, 2024
CONTACT: [email protected]
Tallahassee, Fla. – Hospital leaders from across the state gathered in Tallahassee this week to take part in the Florida Hospital Association’s (FHA) annual Hospital Days at the Florida Capitol. This annual two-day advocacy event offers hospital leaders the opportunity to engage with state lawmakers to advance the policy priorities of Florida hospitals for the 2024 legislative session.
“It is incredibly encouraging that health care already has such a prominent position on the legislative agenda with the introduction of the Live Healthy package last month. It sends a strong signal that legislative leaders have an abiding commitment to hospitals and, most importantly, to our patients and health care workforce,” said Gino Santorio, Board Chair of the Florida Hospital Association Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Mount Sinai Medical Center. “Hospital Days creates a critical forum for the open and collaborative dialogue that makes comprehensive legislation like the Live Healthy package possible.”
Health care is playing a significant role in the 2024 Florida legislative session. As the state’s population and demand for health care grows exponentially, FHA is committed to prioritizing policies that strengthen Florida’s health care workforce, incentivize innovation, and increase access to care. A robust, modern, sophisticated, and patient-centered health care delivery system ensures a healthier and brighter future for all Floridians.
“As our state’s population continues to skyrocket, I am proud to say that Florida hospitals have risen to the occasion. Together, Florida’s hospitals are providing high-quality care in every corner of the state,” said Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association. “Through Hospital Days and other key events offered by FHA throughout the year, we are working together to support a health care delivery system focused on innovation, medical advancement, and improving timely access to health care services for all Floridians.”
On Tuesday, FHA held an FHA Board of Trustees meeting, featuring guests Kevin Guthrie, Director of the Division of Emergency Management, and Kevin O’Farrell, Florida Department of Education Chancellor of Career and Technical Education, which was followed by a legislative reception and a hospital CEO dinner.
On Wednesday, the robust agenda included a Hospital Days legislative briefing featuring House Speaker-Designate Representative Danny Perez, House Speaker Paul Renner, Representative Hillary Cassel, Senator Colleen Burton, and Representative Sam Garrison, who shared insights on the Florida Legislature’s efforts to continually improve the state’s health care system. To conclude the Hospital Days events, FHA members visited the Capitol for meetings with legislators and attended committee meetings.
Florida’s more than 320 hospitals serve more than 22 million Floridians.For more information about FHA, visit www.FHA.org.
ABOUT THE FHA
Founded in 1927, the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) is the leading voice for health care in the State of Florida. Through representation and advocacy, education, and informational services, the Florida Hospital Association supports the mission of over 200 hospitals and health care systems to provide the highest quality of care to the patients we serve. Led by President and CEO Mary Mayhew, the Florida Hospital Association is located in Tallahassee and is governed by a Board of Trustees and officers elected by the member institutions.
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