American Senior Alliance Statement on Ethics Ruling

Statement from Conwell Hooper, American Senior Alliance, on Florida Commission on Ethics complaint ruling
I’m extremely disappointed that Florida’s Commission on Ethics dismissed our complaint against Constitution Revision Commission member Brecht Heuchan. The facts are clear: Mr. Heuchan is a paid, registered lobbyist for Wilkes & McHugh, a law firm that specializes in lawsuits against nursing homes. He has no business bringing forth a proposal in which his client would serve to gain financially. You don’t need a degree in ethics to see the conflict of interest that’s taking place here.
Mr. Heuchan’s proposal mirrors policy positions that he lobbied for in 2014 on behalf of his client Wilkes & McHugh. The Legislature flatly rejected those provisions, which would have made it far easier for law firms to sue nursing homes.
I spent the last two weeks in Tallahassee watching the discussion over Proposal 88 unfold before the CRC. I saw trial attorneys emerge from the woodwork and give thinly veiled arguments about how this proposal would help seniors. I watched as they criticized the Florida Legislature for failing to act. The rhetoric focused more on lawyers cashing in and ignored the quality improvement data and first-hand testimonials that was given by caregivers and residents who are on the frontline of nursing home care.
I believe the Ethics Commission acted prematurely in tossing this complaint. Mr. Heuchan and his client were unsatisfied with their legislative outcomes in 2014 and have been waiting in the wings to advance their interests. I believe they worked together to craft this misguided proposal.
As I stated before, members of the Constitution Revision Commission owe the citizens of Florida a duty to conduct themselves in a way that reflects the true spirit of public service, for the benefit of all. Mr. Heuchan has instead chosen to use his special position to serve the interests of his employer.
The American Senior Alliance is deeply disappointed by this decision, but more importantly we’re concerned about what Mr. Heuchan’s proposal would do to the future of Florida nursing home care should it end up in the Constitution. I hope the ethics commission will take a closer look at the conflict that’s taking place here; Florida seniors and the hundreds of thousands of caregivers who take care of them deserve a closer look.
American Senior Alliance is a non-profit organization headquartered in Atlanta, GA bringing together our nation’s senior citizens, defending their values and protecting the services they’ve earned.