Have your voice be heard by utilizing this draft letter regarding the Medicaid minimum wage increase.
​Download the letter here by using the button below.
fala_final_to_gov_on_letterhead.pdf
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fala_final-stargel_and_trumbull.pdf
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60days_fala_final_to_gov_and_leg9.20.22.pdf
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Advocacy

The Florida Assisted Living Association is an advocate for business owners of assisted living and adult family care home providers. Our mission is to promote excellence in assisted care communities by providing education, standards, advocacy and consumer awareness. We advocate for the ability of owners and operators to provide the care and services needed for our aging population. We proudly represent our members against unwarranted encroachment from every industry and sector. ​

​FALA works closely with the Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida Department of Health, the Department of Elder Affairs,  the Department of Children and Families and the State Fire Marshall's Office to ensure fair and equitable regulation of assisted living and adult family care homes in the State of Florida. Staff closely monitor developments at the Florida Legislature and agencies and advocates for industry involvement every step of the way.

FALA's policies and positions are established by the board of directors that consist of owners of assisted living, adult family care homes, and ancillary providers. However, all issues of major importance to the industry will always be done based on the membership as a whole. If you have a concern, staff are happy to bring it before the Board of Directors or Legislative Committee for inclusion in our legislative proposals. 

If you are interested on serving on our Legislative Committee, we welcome your involvement.

2023 Session Dates

REGULAR SESSION DATES
January 27, 2023 - deadline for submitting requests for drafts of general bills and joint resolutions
March 3, 2023 - deadline for approving final drafts of general bills and joint resolutions
March 7, 2023 - regular session convenes (Article III, section 3(b), State Constitution)
April 22, 2023 - Motion to reconsider and considered same day (Senate Rule 6.4(4)); all bills immediates certified
April 25, 2023 - 50th day, last day for regularly scheduled committee meetings
May 5, 2023 - 60th day, last day of Regular Session

FALA Legislative and Regulatory Policy Positions

The following list of topics represent general policy statements of the Florida Assisted Living Association as approved by the Legislative Committee. Each week during the Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature considers bills that affect Floridians. FALA strives to ensure that we keep members apprised of legislation that affects Assisted Living Facilities (ALFs), Adult Family Care Homes (AFCHs), and the residents who call them home. Each week during the Legislative Session, we update our Legislative Reports and host a call with our members.
fala_2023_legislative_priorties-approved_12.8.22.pdf
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Quality and Resident Safety:

  • Support the creation of a strategy to address current workforce needs and implement plan to meet future challenges.
  • Support ways to create cooperative working relationships with state and local emergency management agencies to ensure resident safety during a declared state of emergency.
  • Support appropriate staffing requirements to fulfill residents’ needs and ensure their safety.
  • Support and recognize assisted living facilities who are meeting or exceeding mandated safety standards.
  • Support training that improves quality of services received without negatively increasing cost but has no substantial impact on resident health and safety.

Appropriations and Funding:

Florida assisted living facilities on average have seen stagnant reimbursement rates from managed care organizations for the last six years despite rising costs of providing care.  Without action, this will make assisted living care less accessible to those Floridians who need it most.
  • Oppose any unfunded mandates in the state budget for private pay or Medicaid service providers.
  • Support increased reimbursement rates for Assistive Care Services and Long-Term Care Services under the Home and Community Based Services waiver.
  • Support increased funding for Personal Needs Allowances.
  • Support increased funding for reducing the backlog of residents on the Long-Term Care wait list.
  • Support creation of a funding methodology workgroup for Medicaid reimbursement.
  • Support operational costs relief initiatives.
  • Legislation that improves the parity of the Personal Needs Allowance so that money follows the recipient.
  • Equality in the requirements of providers and Managed Care Organizations​

Regulation/Licensing​:

  • Support the equitable application of Chapters 408, 409, 429, and 435, F.S. and related administrative rules.
  • Support the streamlining of Florida’s regulations.
  • Oppose regulation that increases cost but has no substantial impact on resident health and safety.
  • Oppose unfunded regulatory mandates.
  • Study the potential of creating alternative accreditation options for facilities.
  • Study the applicability of the current specialty license structure (Limited Nursing Services, Extended Congregate Care, and Limited Mental Health).
  • Support adequate training of agency personnel to ensure appropriate application of inspection standards.
  • Support a consultative versus punitive survey process that increases compliance through the establishment of best practices.

Liability Insurance/Lawsuit Abuse​:

  • Continue to support tort reform efforts to address assisted living facility liability and insurance issues, including COVID-19 related claims, other related inspections, and property insurance, that adversely impacts the operators.
  • Support the creation of a workgroup to study assisted living facility insurance rates.

Legislative Bills

View and download some tips for effectively communicating with a Legislator!

Florida Legislative Contact Information

Find Your Legislator

Find your Florida Legislators here by using the button below.

House of Representatives

Find your Florida House of Representatives contacts by using the button below.

Florida Senate

Find your Florida Senators by using the button below to contact them.

Upcoming Events

Florida Assisted Living Association.  All Rights Reserved.
1618 Mahan Center Blvd, Suite 103  |  Tallahassee, FL 32308
Phone: (850) 383-1159 | youradvocate@fala.org | sitemap