Special Thanks to Our AARP Advocacy Volunteers Volunteers statewide supported AARP Florida’s 2020 legislative agenda. We thank volunteers who met with legislators in their home districts and in Tallahassee, sent letters and emails to legislators, and made countless phone calls to their elected officials. We are grateful to the AARP volunteers who were willing to share their stories and take a stand on critical issues.
Coalition for Silver Solutions
During the 2019 Regular Legislative Session, AARP (representing consumers), Leading Age Florida (not-for-profit NHs and ALFs), SEIU (labor org. for Certified Nursing Assistants (CNA)) and the Florida Health Care Association (for-profit nursing homes) embarked on a novel advocacy endeavor. These organizations convened a “Coalition for Silver Solutions to use their collective political knowledge, influence and resources to bring the LTC issues into the sunshine in Florida and to bring about positive change in Florida’s LTC system. The CSS initiated a two-step process to establish its credibility as a lobbying group with the Legislature, the executive branch agencies and third parties in the LTC service system: 1. For the 2020 Regular Legislative Session, the CSS proposed legislation to eliminate/ minimize procedural obstacles in the LTC system and worked jointly to obtain enhanced funding for the nursing home industry and home-and-community-based LTC programs. 2. It would offer to state decision makers in 2021 a “Blueprint for the Future of Long-Term Care in Florida.” The Blueprint would include recommendations for systemic changes to modernize the LTC system. Beginning In April 2019, the CSS sprang into action: • CSS held a press conference in the Capitol to announce its formation. • Over the summer, CSS held 3 public hearings in which consumers, LTC facility and service providers, insurers, legislators and state agency heads and personnel participated. Three task forces formed to propose legislative issues/solutions for 2020. • In October, the CSS held a Summit in Orlando at which it presented the 2020 legislative proposals for public consideration and comment. Over 200 participants endorsed the proposals (see p., Voting Record). • Sen. Ben Albritton (R-Polk County) and Rep. Jennifer Webb (D-Pinellas County) assumed the role of legislative prime sponsors of the CSS proposals. The result? In its first year of existence, and despite naysayers, the CSS passed its 2020 legislation (mostly intact). To put that in the proper perspective, more than 1,700 bills were filed for the 2020 Regular Legislative Session, and only 191 passed both chambers. The CSS garnered the largest increase in the past 12 years for HCBS funding (4+% increase for Community Care for the Elderly and just under 11% for Alzheimer’s) and a $74 million permanent cost-of-living adjustment in nursing homes’ Medicaid funding (the first in 5 years). The CSS urges all persons/organizations/programs interested in improving Florida's LTC system to join its efforts in preparation for the 2021 “Blueprint for the Future of Long-Term-Care in Florida.” For additional information or for inquiries, please contact: Dorene Barker at dobarker@aarp.org or (850) 577-5163.
On January 27, 2020, AARP Florida hosted the Florida Retired Educators Association (FREA) Legislative Committee Members in Tallahassee. At this event, AARP Florida Advocacy staff and the FREA Legislative Committee shared their 2020 Legislative Priorities. As a result of the meeting, a new legislative policy of FREA will allow the organization to align certain legislative efforts with those of AARP. Florida Retired Educators Association & AARP
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