Care at home helps people heal, manage chronic illness, and age with dignity in the place they feel safest. For more than 385,000 Floridians each year, home health care is not a luxury — it is essential. Skilled nurses, therapists, social workers, and aides help patients remain stable and independent in their homes, often preventing unnecessary hospitalizations.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services recently finalized changes to the Home Health Prospective Payment System for 2026. While CMS made adjustments in response to concerns from the home health community, the final rule still includes a 1.3% overall reduction in payments, totaling roughly $220 million less in federal funding nationwide. Even modest cuts threaten access to care, particularly for not-for-profit providers that reinvest every dollar into patient services.

These reductions arrive at a time when Floridians need more support, not less. Florida is home to 4.9 million residents age 65 and older — nearly 22% of the population — one of the highest proportions in the nation. That number continues to grow. Home health care allows older adults to remain independent, avoid preventable hospitalizations, and receive consistent care from professionals who understand their needs.

At Empath Health, the impact of at-home care is evident every day. Teams support individuals and families across the region through a coordinated approach to care. Each year, more than 80,000 Floridians are served through Empath Health’s Full Life Care model, which includes home health, palliative care, hospice, and Programs of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). This integrated approach ensures continuity while addressing physical, emotional, and social needs with compassion.

Care at home is not only preferred by patients; it is also a smart investment. Home-based care reduces hospital readmissions, lowers overall health care costs, and improves outcomes. Yet despite these benefits, Medicare home health has faced repeated payment reductions year after year. The cumulative impact has strained providers, contributed to agency closures in some communities, and increased pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.

When reimbursement fails to reflect the true cost of care, families feel the consequences directly: fewer home visits, longer wait times, and limited service availability. For patients recovering from surgery or managing conditions such as heart failure or COPD, delays in care can lead to avoidable complications or hospitalizations.

As a mission-driven, not-for-profit organization and a proud member of the National Alliance for Care at Home, Empath Health stands with providers nationwide who believe high-quality care should never be compromised. Protecting access to home-based care means protecting dignity, independence, and quality of life.

Floridians deserve to understand how federal payment decisions affect care in their own communities. Home health care is a cornerstone of Florida’s health care system, and its importance will only grow as the population ages. Sustaining access will require deliberate action from policymakers to ensure the long-term stability of this essential benefit.

Empath Health remains committed to standing beside families and advocating for the care they rely on. Home health care has long helped Florida families stay strong. Protecting access protects peace of mind, stability, and dignity for those who need it most.

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Tarrah Lowry is COO of Empath Health.

Democrat Noah Widmann has ended his challenge of U.S. Rep. Cory Mills. Instead, the lawyer is endorsing former NASA Chief of Staff Bale Dalton, who entered the race in November.

In a statement, Widmann spoke about his family as he ended his candidacy.

“I ran for Congress to deliver real, honest leadership to Central Florida. I grew up on food stamps and Medicaid, working nights to get through college and support my daughter, and throughout this campaign I’ve heard countless stories from our neighbors in this community about the economic pain they’re feeling right now,” Widmann said.

“There is no higher priority than defeating America’s most corrupt Congressman Cory Mills and flipping control of the House of Representatives to Democrats so we can finally deliver relief to the residents of this district. A contested primary only makes that harder. To that end, I spoke with Bale Dalton today about our shared desire to tackle high costs, restore recently cut health care, and secure retirement for folks in our community and I’m proud to endorse his campaign.”

Mills remains the subject of a House Ethics investigation involving accusations he profited from defense contracts while serving in Congress. It was recently expanded to include investigations of sexual misconduct. That includes allegations from girlfriend Sarah Raviani that he assaulted her in their shared Washington apartment, accusations she later recanted, and from ex-girlfriend Lindsey Langston that he threatened to share intimate photos after a breakup.

The House Ethics Committee named an Investigative Subcommittee regarding Mills’ case. That includes Republican U.S. Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Rudy Yakym, as well as Democratic U.S. Reps. Ayanna Pressley and Suhas Subramanyam.

Widmann filed to challenge Mills in May and quickly emerged as a fundraising leader in the race, outraising Mills in two consecutive quarters.

As of the end of September, Widmann had more than $197,000 in cash on hand compared to Mills’ $134,000.

Dalton, who will file his first fundraising report this month, jumped into the race touting his experience as a Navy veteran in Iraq and his work with NASA. He quickly announced the endorsement of former U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, who served as NASA Administrator under President Joe Biden.

Now he has Widmann’s support as well.

“Bale shares the urgency of this moment and the commitment needed to win in November. I encourage my supporters to stand with him as we work together to take back the House,” Widmann said. “I’m incredibly proud of what we built together and deeply grateful to the thousands of supporters who believed in this campaign from day one.”

Dalton welcomed the support.

“I’m honored and grateful to receive Noah’s endorsement. Thank you, Noah Widmann, for your support — and for your commitment to the place we both love and call home,” he posted on X.

Florida’s 7th Congressional District is one of four GOP-held seats in Florida listed by the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee as a “district in play.”

Dalton faces Jennifer Adams, Mills’ 2024 opponent, and fellow Navy veteran Marialana Kinter in a Democratic Primary.

As Florida’s 2026 Legislative Session begins, the state faces another defining moment for conservation. Decisions made in Tallahassee in the coming weeks will shape Florida’s rural landscapes, food security, and long-term identity. At the center of that conversation is the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program (RFLPP) — a proven conservation tool that merits not just continued support, but expanded investment.

Since its creation in 2001, the RFLPP has preserved more than 225,000 acres of working agricultural land. These are not abstract parcels on a map. They are family farms, ranches, open pastures, and wildlife-rich landscapes that anchor Florida’s economy and heritage. Under the leadership of Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson, the program has accelerated dramatically, conserving more than 158,000 acres during his tenure alone.

Those successes, however, only hint at what remains possible — and what is urgently needed. Demand from landowners far exceeds available funding. In the most recent application cycle, 223 additional landowners submitted proposals. Today, the ranked acquisition list includes 428 projects, with total demand estimated at more than $2 billion. These numbers represent real opportunities to protect the lands that feed Florida, sustain rural communities, and preserve the state’s character.

The RFLPP plays a critical role in protecting wildlife habitat and maintaining Florida’s biodiversity. Each acre conserved helps safeguard imperiled species, protect water resources, and preserve the natural systems that define the state. Much of what remains to be protected within Florida’s Wildlife Corridor is working agricultural land. Conserving these lands ensures that growth does not fracture ecosystems or erase the landscapes that connect them.

Beyond conservation, the program strengthens Florida’s agricultural economy. By offering conservation easements, the RFLPP allows farmers and ranchers to remain on their land rather than sell to development pressures. That means more local food and fiber production, stronger rural economies, and a more resilient food supply at a time when global supply chains remain fragile.

Florida is losing farmland at an alarming pace, and once it disappears, it cannot be replaced. The RFLPP remains the state’s strongest defense against that loss — but only if funding keeps pace with demand. The $250 million allocated for fiscal year 2025-26 reflects bipartisan recognition of the program’s value, yet it falls far short of meeting current needs.

Time is not on Florida’s side. Development pressures continue to intensify, and the window to protect these lands is narrowing. Immediate, decisive action is necessary to ensure future generations inherit a Florida that remains productive, resilient, and unmistakably green.

Simpson’s leadership has been instrumental in elevating the RFLPP, securing more than $700 million in state funding since 2022 and encouraging widespread landowner participation. With support from legislative champions across the state, Florida has emerged as a national leader in agricultural land conservation.

Conservation Florida remains a committed partner in this effort, working alongside landowners, government agencies, and local communities to secure high-priority lands. By advocating sustained investment in programs such as RFLPP and Florida Forever, Conservation Florida helps protect natural resources, preserve agricultural heritage, and ensure lasting benefits for future generations.

As the 2026 Legislative Session unfolds, lawmakers and citizens alike should support expanded funding for the Rural and Family Lands Protection Program. Meeting landowner demand, keeping farmers and ranchers on their land, and preserving Florida’s working landscapes are choices that will define the state’s future.

Florida’s rural heritage, food security, and environment depend on the decisions made today. Let’s keep Florida green and growing — for nature, for our communities, and for generations to come.

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Traci Deen is CEO of Conservation Florida.