and the demand for constant improvement and innovation. Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), celebrating its 70th anniversary in 2024, has been an integral partner in establishing and maintaining the highest standards for long-term care in the state, and we continue to strive to remain the gold standard of care in the nation. FHCA is a federation representing over 86% of the state’s 700 nursing centers. Our membership includes over 600 long-term care centers that provide skilled nursing, post-acute and sub-acute care, short-term rehabilitation, assisted living and other services to the frail elderly and individuals with disabilities in Florida. We also represent more than 400 business partners who provide value products and services to help Florida’s long-term care centers with meeting the needs of their residents. Policies that support providers with continuous quality improvements, address a stable workforce, recognize the changing needs of the long-term consumer, and invest in technology and capital improvements to enhance quality care and quality of life are all key to ensuring that residents and their families have access to the gold standard of care they need and expect. STRENGTHENING OUR WORKFORCE With the rise in Florida’s aging population, it will be critical for long-term care and public health programs to be prepared with the staffing and operational capacity to ensure access to the care and services available to those in need. Workforce recruitment and retention is one of the most pressing challenges confronting Florida’s nursing centers and other long-term care providers today. The health care system has experienced a shortage of trained caregivers for critical roles for some time; nurses and nurse aides are among the fastest growing occupations, but supply is not keeping pace. The federal government estimates nearly 27 million people will need some kind of long-term care by 2050, magnifying the workforce shortage that already exists and has yet to bounce back since the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, Florida’s leaders recognized the importance of keeping pace, or rather catching up, with the growing long-term care labor demands. This year, the Florida Legislature and Governor Ron DeSantis approved a significant Medicaid funding increase to help nursing centers continue advancing quality care through a strengthened workforce. 173 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 11, ISSUE 08 TEXAS A&M HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
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