FHA Champions ‘Rural Renaissance’: Transforming Healthcare in Florida’s Underserved Communities

The Florida Senate is focused on supporting rural communities through a new proposal called “Rural Renaissance,” led by Senate President Ben Albritton. These areas have long struggled to access necessary services like healthcare and education.

The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) enthusiastically backs this initiative. The proposal has been introduced as Senate Bill 110, filed by Senator Corey Simon. It aims to improve healthcare, education, infrastructure, and environmental conditions in smaller communities that often lack resources.

As Mary Mayhew, the FHA President and CEO, noted, the bill is designed to help rural Florida communities thrive. She emphasizes the importance of keeping local hospitals open and bringing advanced technology and timely healthcare to residents. The goal is to ensure that people won’t have to travel long distances for quality care.

The FHA has been working with lawmakers to address the challenges faced by rural areas, particularly the need for closer access to medical services. Many residents currently travel across several counties just to see a doctor.

Senate Bill 110 plans to allocate nearly $70 million to tackle these vital needs, with funding designated for various programs, including:

• $25 million in one-time funds and $10 million annually for the Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant Program. This encompasses mobile health units and telemedicine kiosks to provide essential care services remotely.
• $25 million to create the Rural Access to Primary and Preventive Care Grant Program, which will help establish more preventive care facilities, potentially improving health outcomes and reducing costs for families.
• $5 million for the SCORE Grant Program, aimed at training rural emergency medical technicians to improve response capabilities in critical health situations.
• $6.3 million from the state and $8.2 million from federal funds to increase Medicaid reimbursements for rural hospitals that aren’t classified as critical access hospitals.

In a recent memo, Albritton highlighted the need to improve education and healthcare access in rural areas. He believes that upgrading infrastructure for schools and hospitals can enhance the quality of life in these communities.

Overall, SB 110 represents a significant step toward ensuring high-quality healthcare is accessible in rural Florida. The FHA looks forward to working with lawmakers and other stakeholders to build a better health care framework that benefits smaller communities.