Florida hospital leaders advocate for healthcare accessibility and affordability in Washington

Florida hospital leaders were in Washington this week, calling on federal partners to support policies and investments that make health care more accessible and affordable for Floridians and strengthen the state’s healthcare delivery system.

The visit comes as national debates intensify over healthcare affordability, Medicare Advantage Plans and the 340B Drug Pricing Program. Hospital leaders say these issues reflect the broad challenges hospitals and health systems face amid increasingly complicated payment systems and regulations, while also being responsible for providing efficient and high-quality around-the-clock care.

“Florida’s communities rely on the strength of the state’s hospitals and health care systems more and more each day. Hospitals are on the front lines delivering modern, lifesaving care, while also navigating national headwinds. Support from our federal partners is vital to sustaining Florida’s health care infrastructure and meeting the growing demand for health care services,” said Mary C. Mayhew, President and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association (FHA).

Hospital operations are encumbered by mounting administrative requirements, lengthy prior authorization processes and delayed payments from Medicare Advantage insurers. With significant shifts in Medicare Advantage coverage, hospitals across Florida and the nation are calling for insurers to implement more consistent payment practices, greater transparency and stronger accountability measures.

Healthcare costs for patients and providers are driven by multiple factors, including insurer practices, hospital reimbursement rates, labor costs and a rising demand for services. Addressing administrative burdens and making long-term investments in healthcare that support state-of-the-art innovations are essential to enhancing high-quality care and sustaining our healthcare delivery system.

Continuity of the 340B Drug Pricing Program to stretch hospital resources and lower outpatient prescription drug costs for patients remains a high priority for eligible Florida hospitals. The 340B Drug Pricing Program is vital to support hospitals and safeguard Floridians’ access to care — particularly those in vulnerable urban and rural communities.

Nearly 40 leaders from Florida’s hospitals took part in this week’s advocacy efforts, joining peers from across the country during the American Hospital Association’s (AHA) Annual Membership Meeting to hear directly from policy experts on where policy and regulatory issues intersect with practice and to meet with key decision-makers on top-of-mind healthcare issues.

While in the nation’s capital, FHA hosted its annual Hill Day fly-in in conjunction with the AHA annual membership meeting. FHA members met with members of Florida’s congressional delegation and national policy experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing the Sunshine State’s hospitals and health systems.

Hospital leaders on Tuesday met with members of Florida’s congressional delegation, including U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Kathy Castor, Mario Díaz-Balart, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Lois Frankel, Scott Franklin, Maxwell Frost, Carlos Giménez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Jimmy Patronis, John Rutherford, Maria Elvira Salazar, Darren Soto, Greg Steube, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Daniel Webster an Frederica Wilson, and participated in a healthcare policy briefing presented by Gable Brady, a policy advisor in House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s office.

Meetings on Wednesday included U.S. Sens. Ashley Moody and Rick Scott. Attendees concluded the day by meeting with U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Kat Cammack.

“FHA Hill Day provides hospital leaders with an opportunity to share firsthand how federal policies impact patient care in their communities and forge strong partnerships to improve access to high-quality care,” Mayhew said. “With Florida’s rapidly growing and aging population, it’s critical to advance federal policies that reduce administrative barriers and sustain essential programs that support modern, patient-centered care.”

Hospital representatives that participated in Hill Day reflect a broad cross-section of FHA’s membership, including AdventHealth, Ascension, Baptist Health Care, Baptist Health, Baptist Health South Florida, BayCare Health System, Cleveland Clinic, Holy Cross Health, Lakeland Regional Health, Lee Health, Moffitt Cancer Center, Nemours Children’s Health, Orlando Health, Tampa General Hospital, the University of Florida and Trinity Health. Their participation underscored the shared commitment among Florida’s hospitals to deliver exceptional, individualized care in the communities they serve.