Politics

Sustaining community health by supporting Community Health Centers

Published

2 weeks ago

April 1, 2025

There is a lot of change happening in health care and government, but there always is. In these ongoing times of uncertainty, programs such as Community Health Centers should be heralded as successes for their return on investment, high-quality outcomes, and fiscal resilience.

However, these same Health Centers are facing a number of challenges related to funding, reimbursement, workforce, and collaborations that threaten current service levels, much less the implementation of any further expansion.

If Community Health Centers are the solution to expanding primary care and cutting health care costs in Florida, why are so many facing difficult decisions regarding workforce capacity and scope of services?

Finding sustainable ideas and initiatives enables individuals and communities to build and improve upon experiences and efforts.

One sustainable program that has become a necessary part of the foundation of health care in Florida is primary care. Community Health Centers are the vehicle for providing and expanding this program throughout Florida.

While you may not be aware of your local Community Health Center, over 700 service locations currently treat 1.8 million patients from all 67 counties, providing a $3.3 billion economic impact.

Services include medical, dental, and behavioral health, along with a variety of additional specialties and support services that differ by site. Patients come from all walks of life — low-income and affluent, employed and unemployed, with or without health insurance, rural and urban.

Community Health Centers are, in fact, a 60-year-old efficient and effective health care program and resource. This sounds like a great resource, vital to any community’s success, right?

While Florida’s Community Health Centers continue to advocate for appropriate federal funding, they are also pursuing an increase in the state Medicaid reimbursement rate.

A recent analysis indicated that the current state average reimbursement was approximately $90 below the average visit cost. No business can sustain such a business model.

Recognizing patients’ increasing needs, health centers have identified and utilized other revenue sources to make up this gap.

One such source is 340B, a pharmaceutical program that allows select providers to realize savings in purchasing and delivering discounted medicine to patients. While Community Health Centers account for a mere 5% of the 340B program nationally, this resource is now under scrutiny, if not outright attack, to further restrict providers’ utilization.

The uncertainty at the federal level has motivated two-thirds of the states, including Arkansas, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Maryland, Minnesota and West Virginia, to implement 340B protections to ensure entities like Community Health Centers have the protection they need to sustain their operations and continue to provide high-quality, affordable health care to everyone.

These financial concerns are simultaneously experienced while patients, payers, and partners assume increased responsibilities, causing Community Health Centers to deplete their reserves to continue providing services and cover day-to-day operational costs.

Health Centers participate in value-based initiatives, are the most transparent providers in terms of quality outcomes and operational data, implement technology, expand telehealth capacity, increase hours of service, and struggle to attract the most talented providers and staff.

So, I ask again, why are there so many challenges to recognizing appropriate state and federal support?

Community Health Centers are much more than “just part” of the health care safety net; they are a cornerstone of everyone’s daily lives.

Shown repeatedly, they enable a healthy workforce while creating savings to the state’s health care system by reducing costs associated with emergency room visits for non-urgent conditions, investing in programs that treat the root cause of a medical condition through nutrition and mental health programs, and making services available to everyone.

Health Centers require and deserve pertinent funding and policy support to preserve effectiveness, increase efficiency, and maintain affordability.

It simply benefits us all.

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Jonathan Chapman is president and CEO of the Florida Association of Community Health Centers (FACHC).

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Politics

Florida Trucking Association trying to hook more professionals into industry for work outside of driving

Published

23 minutes ago

April 13, 2025

May Greene

‘Jobs Beyond the Wheel’ program aims to get more workers into Florida trucking industry beyond just drivers.

Trucking isn’t all about driving and the Florida Trucking Association (FTA) is launching a new campaign to get more people into the industry.

The “Jobs Beyond the Wheel” campaign is gearing up as the FTA wants to expand access to a comprehensive workforce in the trucking world in Florida that involves many positions that aren’t all driving big rigs. The FTA acknowledges there is a “critical shortage of skilled workers” and is seeking to draw more professionals into trucking jobs.

“Every truck on Florida’s roadways represents a team of skilled professionals making it all possible,” said Alix Miller, President and CEO of Florida Trucking Association. “The trucking industry offers exciting, high-earning careers, many of which we want to highlight. The campaign includes first-hand accounts from employees about the skills and paths they’ve developed. We want to showcase the dynamic opportunities for Floridians to discover how their talents fit in this essential industry where innovation meets opportunity.”

FTA officials point out that all aspects of the trucking industry supports just about every aspect of commerce in Florida. The new program that involves a new interactive website that demonstrates the multiple layers of the trucking industry and promotes different career opportunities in the field.

The website is more than just a promotional tool. It also includes career information, training resources, job listings and connections to companies employing trucking-related employees throughout the state. Many of those employees are hiring many positions that are well outside of driving.

Some of the jobs include diesel technicians who maintain and repair trucks. Manufacturing specialist positions are also needed for making parts for repairs. Brokers and customer operations professionals are also needed to manage customer relations and scheduling duties. Human resources, transportation attorneys, safety professionals and public relations and communications experts are also desired to help promote the industry.

“’Jobs Beyond the Wheel’ showcases different roles and people driving the trucking industry — for those looking for a job today, to college students looking at opportunities after graduation,” said Elizabeth Emmanuel, Vice President of Public Affairs at FTA and creative director of the project. “Whatever stage of life, or level of education, we want people to think of the transportation sector as a compelling career choice.”

The campaign is also funded in part by FloridaCommerce, the state business development agency.

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Politics

Jimmy Patronis gets named to key transportation committee in Congress upon arriving in D.C.

Published

1 hour ago

April 13, 2025

May Greene

Newly-elected member of Congress Jimmy Patronis is wasting little time getting into the mix of the House of Representatives in Washington, D.C.

The former Florida Chief Executive Officer won the special election April 1 for Florida’s 1st Congressional District in the Panhandle on April 1. He was appointed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, a Louisiana Republican, to a Congressional committee. In his first full week in Congress, Patronis was assigned to the U.S. House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He’ll also serve on several other supplemental panels including the Subcommittee on Aviation, Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, and the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment.

“With over 1,000 people moving to Florida every day, our roadways, waterways, and infrastructure are essential to our nation’s economy and national security. During major storms, Florida roadways become critical tools for hurricane evacuation during states of emergency,” said Patronis, a Panama City Beach Republican. “Also, maintaining our roads, bridges, ports, and waterways are vital to ensuring a steady flow of commerce.”

Patronis added he’ll be vigilant in Congress and is committed to fair distribution of funds throughout Florida and all states.

“I am also laser focused on ensuring dollars intended for infrastructure go to the right place, and work to eliminate any red tape that slows project delivery times. I look forward to working alongside my fellow colleagues on this committee to ensure our nation’s infrastructure is second to none in the new golden age of America,” Patronis said.

Rep. Sam Graves, a Missouri Republican, is chair of the committee Patronis was assigned to and offered a welcome to the new lawmaker.

“I’m excited for Congressman Patronis to roll up his sleeves and help the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee with our full agenda this Congress. We will be working with the Trump Administration to ensure the safety of our aviation system, funding improvements to our ports and waterways infrastructure, and providing the U.S. Coast Guard with the resources they need to carry out their many critical missions, including stopping the flow of illegal drugs and migrants into the country across our maritime borders,” Graves said.

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Politics

Donald Trump sits cageside at Miami UFC event in his latest appearance at a sports event

Published

2 hours ago

April 13, 2025

May Greene

President Donald Trump said the standing ovation and cheers he drew when he took his seat at a UFC event in his home state of Florida were signs “we’re doing a good job.”

Trump shook hands with some supporters as he walked to his cageside seat Saturday night at Miami’s Kaseya Center while others waved his trademark red campaign cap. The Republican president, who stayed for several hours before flying back to his home in Palm Beach, said it was a “great honor” to receive that recognition from the crowd.

“It says we’re doing a good job. If we weren’t doing a good job, we’d get the opposite,” he told reporters accompanying him aboard Air Force One.

In the nearly three months since he has been back in office, Trump has launched a broad effort led by billionaire Elon Musk to shrink government by firing thousands of workers and cutting spending, tried unsuccessfully thus far to end Russia’s war against Ukraine and impose tariffs against many countries, including close allies of the United States.

Democrats, and even some Trump supporters, have criticized his early actions.

But at UFC, it was a night focused on the fighters in the cage.

“Every one of them came up at the end, and they were great,” Trump said. “I mean, they’re all warriors, modern day warriors.”

At one point, fighter Dominick Reyes walked over to the side of the Octagon after winning his bout and acknowledged Trump. Reyes went to take a photo with the president after the post-fight interview.

Trump’s granddaughter, Kai Trump, who attended UFC 314 with him, said it was “awesome.”

The president watched as Australian Alexander Volkanovski won his 10th championship fight in a row, defeating Diego Lopes of Brazil early Sunday morning by unanimous decision in the featherweight contest.

Trump is a longtime UFC fan and sports enthusiast who has frequently attended major fights and has had a longtime friendship with Dana White, the UFC president and CEO.

It was Trump’s first UFC visit since returning to the White House in January and came weeks after he attended the Saudi-sponsored LIV golf tournament at his golf club in Miami.

Trump attended the Super Bowl and Daytona 500, both in February. He was cageside at a UFC championship fight in New York in November, shortly after winning the election. Trump’s close affiliation with UFC had helped boost his campaign among young male voters.

As Trump entered the Miami arena accompanied by White, the president shared an embrace with podcast host Joe Rogan. Musk and Rogan sat by Trump’s side.

Also at the event were several members of his administration, including Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., FBI Director Kash Patel, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

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Republished with permission of the Associated Press.

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