LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, announced its 2023 legislative priorities for senior living and long-term care today. Top priorities include modernization of the state’s Continuing Care/Life Plan Community (CCRC) law, Medicaid funding, solutions for the workforce shortage, and ongoing staffing issues.
Florida is consistently viewed as a national leader in the delivery of high-quality senior living, and CCRCs are an important option for Florida seniors. Florida’s CCRCs are also a major economic engine, supporting a workforce of nearly 18,000 employees with an estimated impact on Florida’s economy of $1.8 billion. LeadingAge Florida supports modernizing current law to simplify access to capital, support expansion among CCRCs, and reduce unnecessary reporting to ensure a healthy and vibrant senior living market for Florida’s future.
“Our focus is to ensure the ongoing viability and financial strength of the CCRC model in Florida by making it easier for providers to access capital while minimizing unnecessary bureaucracy that can get in the way of growth,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO. “Doing so will likely also lead to increased investment in Florida’s critical senior living sector.”
In addition to CCRC law modernization, Medicaid funding will be a priority.
LeadingAge Florida supports the establishment of inflationary increases that recognize continually increasing costs in Florida’s nursing homes. LeadingAge Florida also supports the continuation of recurring funding that was provided for employee wage increases and the prioritization of these funds to support direct care, since they were appropriated for the purpose of raising employee wages.
For assisted living facilities and home and community-based services, Medicaid reimbursement rates are inadequate, and LeadingAge Florida supports an increase to enable greater access to services by the Medicaid population and to enable the delivery of care in the most appropriate and cost-effective setting.
In addition, addressing the long-term care workforce shortage will continue to be a priority. LeadingAge Florida supports legislation and funding initiatives that identify and support solutions to help educate, train, recruit and retain new workers.
For 60 years, LeadingAge Florida has been the state’s leading advocate for high-quality senior living, aging services and care. We are the only statewide association representing the full continuum of care for seniors. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before the Legislature and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers to help member communities best serve the needs of Florida’s senior population.
