Legislative Advocacy
The Florida Association of Children's Hospitals (FACH) member hospitals are the voice for children's health care in Florida. Members share a common vision and embrace short- and long-term strategies leading to exemplary health care for Florida’s children. We believe that promoting children’s health is essential for improving the population’s health, and that policies to prevent and/or treat children’s health problems can be wise investments.
On an annual basis, we review legislative issues and actively advocate on the state and federal levels. Our legislative work is coordinated with the Safety Net Hospital Alliance, Florida Hospital Association (FHA) and The Florida Chapter of the Academy of Pediatrics.
The 2023 Florida Legislative Session is March 7 to May 5.
FACH Advocacy Priorities 2023
Support Critical Children's Services
The Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH) recommends that the Florida Commission on Mental and Behavioral Health address mental/behavioral health for children in Florida as a priority through an initiative that will provide the basis for sound policymaking, systemic improvements and appropriations in the future.
We also recommend that the Legislature create a Florida Pediatric Mental Health Advisory Council. This Council could advise on the issues that will need to be addressed, as well as provide some coordination and oversight. Any recommendations by the Council would require the approval of the Department of Health and Legislative funding.
Advance Solutions to the Pediatric Health Care Workforce Shortage
FACH will continue working with partners (FCAAP, SNHA and FHA) to advance solutions to pediatric workforce shortages in Florida.
Ensure Medicaid Reimbursement Equity for All Children's Hospitals
The Florida Association of Children’s Hospitals (FACH) is seeking funding equity for all of Florida’s children’s hospitals through increases to certain levels of policy adjusters for Medicaid reimbursements.
Initial Recommendation 1: Increase the Existing Pediatric SOI Level 3 Policy Adjuster for Florida’s embedded children’s hospitals from 1.8 to 2.135, to match the High Medicaid Inpatient Utilization Adjuster.
Initial Recommendation 2: Increase the Existing Pediatric SOI Level 4 Policy Adjuster for Florida’s embedded children’s hospitals from 2.0 to 2.135 to match the High Medicaid Inpatient Utilization Adjuster.
A subsequent recommendation from Florida Safety Net is to increase the adjusters to 2.308.