'09 Legislative Victories
Defending Safety Net Funding in Our Fight for Quality Care
We defeated efforts to dismantle the system that protects state funding to health care providers through Medicaid.
- Working to Preserve 2.9: Nursing homes were cut 3% but allowed to tax themselves based on the number of Medicare/Medicaid beds money to draw down federal dollars (at the higher stimulus rates) to make up for the cuts. This should allow them to avoid reducing the mandated, minimum hours of care that residents receive from their CNAs. This issue remains under discussion as we go to press.
- Safe Staffing for Quality Care: We worked with Sen. Tony Hill (D) and Rep. Oscar Braynon (D), sponsors of SB 1256 and HB 241 to present mandated, safe staffing ratios to advance quality care. In order to have the issue of safe staffing heard, we joined the Florida Nurses Association in support of a bill which would require hospital administrators to work with their RNs to develop safe staffing ratios. As a result, the issue was heard in two Senate committees and passed unanimously by both. This was a clear indication that Senators on both health committees understood the importance of the issue. However, the House did not take up the issue this session. Nonetheless, our RN unity strategy succeeded in moving the discussion of safe staffing further than anyone anticipated pre-session.
- Low Income Pool: Due to the higher federal contribution under President Obama's stimulus, each hospital dollar used to draw down the federal share will now bring $2 of federal money. Major safety net hospitals such as Jackson Memorial will receive more money from the Low Income Pool than before. That's nearly enough to make up for the 1.5% cut to hospital reimbursement.
- Kidcare Streamlining: The number of Florida's children receiving health coverage should increase significantly with the passage of SB 918. By removing barriers for participation, it should open Florida's healthcare coverage to thousands of uninsured children. This is a huge win for Florida's modest income families.
Defeating Efforts to Undermine Unions in Florida: An effort was mounted to block the Florida implementation of the Employee Free Choice Act should it pass Congress. This anti-worker effort by Rep. Hasner (R) and Sen. Richtor (R) had the backing of huge corporations and moneyed interests. One effect of the bill would have been to make it even harder for Florida's workers to organize themselves into unions by eliminating voluntary recognition. SEIU joined with other Florida unions to oppose HJR 1013 and SJR 1908. Our members and leaders testified and stood with the members of other unions at press events. 100 union nurses lined the chamber when the issue was debated in the House. Our efforts paid off as we were successful in blocking this disastrous legislation.
Defeating Legislative Attempt to Curtail Voting Rights: We were successful in defeating harmful election reform legislation, SB 956 and PBC ED 0908 in the House. Passage of these measures would have supressed the voice of Florida's voters.
Defend Against Efforts to Straitjacket Local and State Budgets: We were able to prevent a constitutional initiative which would strangle local and state budgets and severely limit the ability of local leaders to adjust to changing budgetary needs.
Working for a Fair and Functional Tax System: Florida got into our present budget crisis by relying on an antiquated tax structure. It allows huge corporations to avoid their fair share of taxes and keeps the burden on sales tax and property tax revenues -- both of which have fallen significantly during this economic downturn. Legislators took a step in the right direction by increasing the tax on cigarettes by $1 per pack. We're still miles behind other states in creating a progressive tax system that treats working families fairly.
What's Next? Summer 2009: Drive Quality, Affordable and Accessible Health Care for All through Congress!