5 Things Florida: Health care workforce, Care for elders, Community partnerships

By

Emily Boerger

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We are now less than two weeks out from the 2022 Florida State of Reform Health Policy Conference! We’re thrilled to be able to bring you 2 keynotes, 15 breakout sessions, and close to 60 curated speakers who will talk through some of the most pressing issues facing Florida’s health care system.

In this edition of “5 Things We’re Watching,” we highlight a handful of the upcoming conversations that we’re looking forward to hosting. We’d love to have you join us!

Emily Boerger
State of Reform

 

1. Legislators shaping health policy

Some of the most important legislators in state health policy will join us at the conference on May 18th. On our “Policy Leadership: Republicans” panel we’ll hear from Sen. Jason Brodeur, Vice Chair of the Senate Committee on Health Policy, Rep. Sam Garrison, Republican Committee Whip on the House Health & Human Services Committee, and Rep. Joe Harding, Member of House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee.

Joining us on our “Policy Leadership: Democrats” panel will be Rep. Carlos Guillermo Smith, Democratic Ranking Member on the House Professions & Public Health Subcommittee, and Reps. Kelly Skidmore and Michele Rayner who both serve on the House Health & Human Services Committee.

 

2. A focus on kids & moms

Child and maternal health experts will come together on our “A focus on kids and moms: From mental health to maternity” panel to discuss the road ahead for improving Florida families’ access to care. The conversation will touch on topics ranging from youth behavioral health to efforts to reduce maternal mortality and associated health disparities.

We’ll hear from LeAnn Magre, Director of Child and Family Wellness Product Innovations for Aetna Medicaid, Lynn Berger, MD, Managing Plan Performance Medical Director at Simply Healthcare Plans, Yamel Belen, Owner of One Love Doula Services, and Jeff Brosco, MD, PhD, Professor & Associate Chair (Population Health) at the University of Miami Department of Pediatrics.

 

3. Strategies to support the health care workforce

Widespread labor shortages, burnout from the pandemic, and an aging workforce are all putting significant stress on Florida’s health care workforce. This panel will bring together three experts to talk through these challenges and discuss solutions for this ongoing crisis.

Our “Strategies to expand and support Florida’s health care workforce” panel will bring together Natalie Kelly, CEO of the Florida Association of Managing Entities, Justin Senior, CEO of the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, and Jing Wang, PhD, Dean & Professor at the Florida State University College of Nursing.

 

4. Community partnerships that address SDOH

Community partnerships are critical to adequately addressing the social determinants of health. This panel will discuss the intersection between the delivery system and community, and the lessons learned from the work to connect the two.

Miguel Fernandez, MD, Chief Medical Officer at Aetna, Sherry Hoback, CEO of Tampa Family Health Centers, and Dennis Lemma, Seminole County Sheriff, will join this important conversation.


5. Innovations in care for elders

With over four million Florida residents over the age of 65, ensuring access to care for seniors is an integral part of health policy discussions. From dual eligibles to nursing home reform, this panel will explore ways to improve care for Florida elders.

This panel will include Deb Hatton, Director of HCBS Waiver & Specialized Recovery Services at CareSource, David Rogers, President of Independent Living Systems, Jeff Johnson, Florida State Director at AARP, and Matt Hudson, Executive Director of the Florida PACE Association.