| Legislative Priorities |
2024 Legislative Session Public Policy PrioritiesLeadingAge Southeast's Priorities for Florida's 2024 Legislative SessionMedicaid Funding for Nursing Homes In Florida LeadingAge Southeast supports additional Medicaid funding to recognize the continuing growth in costs faced by nursing home providers. Medicaid Funding for Assisted Living Facilities and Home and Community-Based Services In Florida, LeadingAge Southeast supports an increased Medicaid reimbursement rate for Assisted Living Facilities and for Home and Community-Based Services. Similar to nursing homes, the Medicaid reimbursement rates for Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs) and home and community-based services are inadequate. LeadingAge Southeast supports increased funding that would allow for greater access to services by the Medicaid population and enable the delivery of care in the most appropriate, cost-effective setting. The Governor’s 2024-25 Legislative Budget Recommendation maintains Medicaid funding for ALFs and home and community-based services at current levels. Click Here to Read More. Long-Term Care Workforce Crisis In Florida, LeadingAge Southeast supports legislation that addresses the long-term care workforce crisis with solutions that help to recruit, train and retain new workers. Workforce shortage in senior living communities has long been documented and continues to be challenging. In a LeadingAge Southeast survey of Florida members, over 60% of the respondents cited all of the following as workforce related barriers: lack of interested candidates, lack of qualified employees, employee retention, competing with rising wages, and rates charged by staffing agencies. Senior living providers are exploring every possible avenue to recruit, train and retain qualified healthcare personnel, but the reality is that there is a scarcity in the long-term care workforce. Providers are handling the workforce crisis in a variety of ways. Many have increased wages but without a funding mechanism for meaningfully increasing their rates, this is creating enormous pressure and, with the number of older adults in the state rising, the workforce challenges will continue and are likely to intensify. Click Here to Read More. Affordable Housing for Seniors In Florida, LeadingAge Southeast supports full funding of the Sadowski State and Local Housing Trust Fund with the recurring revenue based on the documentary stamp formula enacted in 2021. The demand for affordable senior housing dramatically outstrips the supply. While the waiting list for housing can be only a few months in areas of the state with high vacancy turnover and lower demand, such as lower populated areas, it can be as high as 8-9 years in high populous areas such as South Florida. As a member of the Florida Housing Coalition, LeadingAge Southeast supports full funding of the Sadowski Trust Fund as an important step in tackling this problem. Click Here to Read More. Property Insurance In Florida, LeadingAge Southeast encourages the Legislature to continue to explore legislative solutions to address the property insurance market as rates continue to increase for businesses. Senior living providers have reported property insurance rates doubling in recent years. While LeadingAge Southeast recognizes that substantial legislation has been passed in recent years to mitigate the property insurance challenges, and it will take time to realize the benefits of the legislation, LeadingAge Southeast encourages the legislature to continue to search for ways to address and mitigate the rising costs of property insurance for providers serving Florida’s growing older adult population. Click Here to Read More.
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