FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 12, 2025
CONTACT: [email protected]
Tallahassee, FL – Representatives from more than 50 Florida hospitals and health systems, spanning from Miami to North Florida and in communities between, joined the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) in Tallahassee this week to advocate for important health care policies and investments. Health care access and timeliness of care for Floridians and the state’s visitors are top-of-mind for Florida’s hospital industry.
“Key priorities for the 2025 Legislative Session include addressing hospital finance challenges and health care regulation proposals to strengthen Florida’s hospitals and health care systems,” said Dr. Larry Antonucci, Chair of FHA’s Board of Trustees and president and CEO of Lee Health System. “These efforts aim to optimize care delivery so patients can access the right care at the right time and in the most appropriate health care setting.”
FHA-supported legislative priorities for the 2025 legislative session include Emergency Preparedness for Life-Sustaining Medical Services (SB 1798 and HB 1531), which seeks to provide flexibilities to health care providers during emergencies; ‘Rural Renaissance’ legislation to enhance access to care in our rural communities (SB 110 and HB 1427); and streamlining Medicaid provider credentialing processes to reduce bureaucracy and improve access to care for Florida’s most vulnerable populations (SB 1236 and HB 1109).
“At the Florida Hospital Association, we are working closely with our members, state leaders and legislators to continue to champion an innovative and high-quality health care delivery system in Florida,” said Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the FHA. “Hospital Days and our year-round advocacy efforts are vitally important for Florida to remain a premier health care destination for families and visitors.”
The event began Tuesday with FHA’s Board of Trustees meeting, featuring insights from Representatives Sam Garrison and Kim Berfield, and Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Shevaun Harris. Following the meeting, Florida’s hospital leaders, government relations professionals and other key stakeholders gathered for a legislative reception with special guest Senate President Ben Albritton. At FHA’s CEO dinner following the reception, attendees heard from Senator Tom Leek, and important discussions about the future of health care took place. The 2024 Caregiver of the Year and Health Care Leader of the Year award recipients were honored, and Gino Santorio, president and CEO of Mount Sinai Medical Center, was presented with an honorary gavel, recognizing his service as FHA’s Board Chair last year.
Today’s Hospital Days agenda began with FHA’s Hospital Days Breakfast and Legislative Briefing. Special guests, including House Speaker Danny Perez and Representatives Alexander Andrade, Vanessa Oliver and Josie Tomkow, spoke to key health care issues with attendees.
Throughout the remainder of the event, hospital leaders met with legislators to discuss an array of health care-related bills for consideration through the legislative process this session. More than 100 hospital leaders were in Tallahassee to participate in Tuesday and Wednesday’s events.
For more information about the FHA and its advocacy efforts, 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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