Florida Hospital Leaders Travel to Washington to Push for Healthcare Accessibility and Affordability
Why It Matters
Florida’s hospital industry is pressing federal lawmakers to address a range of policy challenges that affect healthcare access and affordability across the Sunshine State. With the state’s population growing rapidly and aging, decisions made in Washington over Medicare Advantage, drug pricing, and administrative requirements have direct consequences for millions of Florida patients and the hospitals that serve them.
What Happened
Nearly 40 Florida hospital leaders traveled to Washington this week to meet with federal lawmakers and policy officials, calling on Congress to support policies that strengthen healthcare delivery and reduce costs for patients and providers. The visit was organized by the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) in conjunction with the American Hospital Association’s Annual Membership Meeting.
FHA President and CEO Mary C. Mayhew led the delegation’s advocacy efforts, which included the organization’s annual Hill Day fly-in. Hospital representatives met with a broad cross-section of Florida’s congressional delegation on Tuesday, including U.S. Reps. Aaron Bean, Gus Bilirakis, Byron Donalds, Neal Dunn, Randy Fine, Carlos Giménez, Mike Haridopolos, Laurel Lee, Anna Paulina Luna, Jimmy Patronis, John Rutherford, Maria Elvira Salazar, Greg Steube, and Daniel Webster, among others. Attendees also participated in a healthcare policy briefing led by Gable Brady, a policy advisor in House Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s office.
On Wednesday, the delegation met with U.S. Senators Ashley Moody and Rick Scott, as well as U.S. Reps. Vern Buchanan and Kat Cammack.
Key Issues on the Table
Hospital leaders highlighted three priority areas during their Washington meetings. First, they raised concerns about Medicare Advantage insurers, citing mounting prior authorization delays, inconsistent payment practices, and a lack of transparency and accountability. Florida hospitals are calling for federal action to require more consistent reimbursement timelines from private Medicare Advantage plans.
Second, the delegation pushed for continuity of the 340B Drug Pricing Program, a federal initiative that allows eligible hospitals to purchase outpatient prescription drugs at reduced costs. FHA leaders described the program as essential for hospitals serving vulnerable patients in both urban and rural communities across Florida.
Third, hospital representatives called for reductions in administrative burdens, including lengthy prior authorization processes and complex regulatory requirements that divert resources away from patient care.
“Florida’s communities rely on the strength of the state’s hospitals and health care systems more and more each day,” Mayhew said in public remarks. “Support from our federal partners is vital to sustaining Florida’s health care infrastructure and meeting the growing demand for health care services.”
By the Numbers
- ~40 Florida hospital leaders participated in this week’s Washington advocacy trip
- 22+ members of Florida’s congressional delegation met with FHA representatives during Hill Day
- 2 U.S. senators — Ashley Moody and Rick Scott — held meetings with the delegation on Wednesday
- The delegation represented major health systems including AdventHealth, BayCare, Cleveland Clinic, Moffitt Cancer Center, Nemours Children’s Health, Tampa General Hospital, and the University of Florida, among others
Zoom Out
Florida’s advocacy push reflects a national conversation about the financial sustainability of hospital systems and the growing strain of government-mandated and insurer-driven administrative requirements. Hospitals across the country have raised alarms over Medicare Advantage payment delays, with industry groups arguing that insurer practices are creating cash flow problems and reducing patient access to timely care.
The 340B program in particular has faced scrutiny and legal challenges in recent years, with drug manufacturers pushing to limit hospital participation. Hospital associations in multiple states have joined efforts to preserve the program as a lifeline for safety-net providers. Florida’s rapidly growing and aging population places additional pressure on the state’s healthcare infrastructure, making federal policy decisions especially consequential for the Sunshine State. As Florida officials continue to address a range of public health and safety concerns — from animal welfare oversight to natural disaster preparedness during active wildfire seasons — the stability of the hospital system remains a foundational issue for state and federal leaders alike.
What’s Next
FHA leaders are expected to continue engagement with Florida’s congressional delegation as federal budget and healthcare reform discussions advance in Washington. Mayhew indicated the organization will work to advance federal policies that reduce administrative barriers and preserve essential programs supporting patient-centered care. Key legislative and regulatory decisions regarding Medicare Advantage oversight and the 340B Drug Pricing Program are expected to move through Congress in the coming months.