Leaders must find health care solution
As our Florida state senators and representatives are nearing the end of the legislative session, there remain two looming health care issues: The unresolved Low Income Pool funding, which is dependent on a federal waiver and whether or not Florida will pass a health care expansion bill. Despite the fact that these are two separate programs, the federal government has linked them together.
In a letter sent by the federal government from the Center of Medicare Services to the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration on April 14, it was made clear that the CMS will not fund the Low Income Pool unless the state government agrees to Medicaid expansion, a cornerstone initiative of the Affordable Care Act. We urge federal CMS and state legislators to find a workable solution to fund necessary and essential health care programs so that the most vulnerable in our community can be cared for.
Our government leaders need to ensure that we can continue to serve our citizens and patients.
Broward Health is a safety net hospital system serving more than two-thirds of the 1.9 million residents in Broward County. We have two trauma centers, two comprehensive stroke centers, two primary stroke centers and several cardiac catheterization facilities. We are also a training facility for nursing students, medical students and paramedics. In addition, we graduate more than 100 medical residents every year. These are new doctors that serve our community and our citizens. Our physicians and nurses also conduct medical research to create new life-saving measures.
Even if Broward Health does not receive LIP funds, we will, and must, continue to provide essential acute care services including emergency care and inpatient services. However, we may not be able to continue to provide non-life critical services such as physical and occupational therapy or outpatient services for elective and preventative care. In addition, our ability to continue our academic teaching and mentoring programs may be impacted.
At Broward Health our doors will remain open; we are a provider of last resort for all who need health care, regardless of socio-economic status or insurance coverage. We urge a quick resolution so our health care safety net system is not impacted adversely, and we can continue to serve our citizens and patients by providing the quality health care they need. Nabil El Sanadi is the president and CEO of Broward Health and a board certified emergency medicine physician.