Seasoned professionals retained to advance Association’s long term care priorities
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) today announced its team of external lobbyists who will support the Association’s government affairs team in advancing its long term care priorities during the 2023 legislative session. FHCA’s external team is made up of seasoned lobbyists who collectively bring years of experience, strong knowledge and understanding of the issues impacting long term health care in Florida, along with well-earned reputations for hard work and professionalism.
“FHCA has always been committed to advocating for the resources our members need to deliver high-quality care to Florida’s seniors,” said Emmett Reed, FHCA Chief Executive Officer. “Having this team of experienced professionals working alongside us will ensure that the issues facing our dedicated long term caregivers remain front and center with Florida’s policymakers.”
Toby Philpot with Floridian Partners will serve as FHCA’s lead lobbyist, charged with managing the external team. Philpot, who served as FHCA’s chief lobbyist prior to joining Floridian Partners, will work in partnership with FHCA to oversee the team’s day-to-day activities, which will engage and educate lawmakers and advance legislation to enhance how long term care is delivered in Florida.
Additional members of FHCA’s external lobbying team include:
- Travis Blanton and the team at Johnson & Blanton
- Matt Bryan and the team at Smith, Bryan & Myers
- Tracy Mayernick and the team at The Mayernick Group
- Sean Pittman and the team at Pittman Law Group, P.L.
- Brian Jogerst and the team at Waypoint Strategies
In addition to its external lobbyists, FHCA maintains an in-house government affairs team that includes subject matter experts in the areas of Medicaid reimbursement and managed care (Tom Parker), quality affairs and survey readiness (Deborah Franklin), regulatory guidance and legal matters (Susan Anderson), public affairs (Kristen Knapp) and grassroots initiatives (Rebecca Bush).
During the 2022 legislative session, FHCA provided essential information to legislators as they extended COVID liability protections for long term care and other health care professionals, modernized Florida’s staffing standards, and secured a $293 million increase in Medicaid reimbursement for Florida’s nursing center residents and those entrusted to their care.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA HEALTH CARE ASSOCIATION
The Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) is a federation that serves nearly 1,000 members and represents more than 700 long-term care facilities that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and subacute care, short-term rehab, assisted living, and other services to the elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. The mission of FHCA is to advance the quality of services, image, professional development, and financial stability of its members. As Florida’s first and largest advocacy organization for long-term care providers and the elderly they serve, the Association has worked diligently since 1954 to assist its members with continuously improving quality of care and quality of life for the state’s growing elder care population. For more information about the Florida Health Care Association, visit http://www.fhca.org.
