Florida Hospital Association

05/30/2026

The Florida Legislature approved yesterday a $49 billion investment in the future of the Sunshine State's healthcare delivery system.

"Florida's healthcare system is evolving. To continue providing outstanding care as the demand for services grows, it's vital that we invest in our state's healthcare workforce, rural and maternal health initiatives and safety-net services," said Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of FHA.

We sincerely thank Senate President Ben Albritton , House Speaker Daniel Perez and members of the Florida Legislature for their commitment to improving access to care across our state's communities. Learn more >>

The budget is finished, but there's more work to be done in Tallahassee.

05/29/2026

As we wrap up Mental Health Awareness Month, Vicky Sabwarhal, vice president and chief executive officer for Jackson Health System 's Behavioral Health Hospital provides an important reminder that mental health needs are year-round as is hospitals’ commitment to supporting those needs and being part of the holistic solution to making sure early identification, intervention and treatment are available for anyone experiencing a mental health challenge.

05/28/2026

Health care leaders: Join FHA and the American College of Healthcare Executives (ACHE) on July 16 in Tampa for Crisis Leadership: Enhancing Organizational Resilience and Decision Making.

🎓 Earn 6 ACHE In-Person Education Credits
🧠 Gain real-world insights from nationally recognized experts
📍 Connect with peers from across Florida

Early registration ends June 12 and you won’t want to miss this opportunity! Learn more and register here >> https://events.fha.org/event/8e9cdb30-0429-4f60-8cd9-5751da3961a5/summaamerican

05/26/2026

Strategies for improving maternal and newborn outcomes will be a key topic at this year’s FHA Quality and Patient Safety Conference.

Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of FHA will join Andrea Friall, vice president and chief medical officer at Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare - TMH, for a session on “Improving Maternity Care in Florida,” focusing on various innovations and collaborations to advance quality and safety measures for a healthy start to life for mom and baby. Register now to join us June 4-5 in Orlando! >> https://events.fha.org/event/QPS2026/regPage:717736cf-a718-4dd3-90fd-67a77b4a3ac8

05/20/2026

ICYMI: The New York Times covered the urgent need to reform health plans’ prior authorization processes. Despite insurers’ pledges to overhaul the practice, doctors and patients still report delays in getting needed care approved, often to the detriment of patient health and well-being. FHA is championing commonsense reforms that would hold payers accountable for the care they are supposed to cover, including federal legislation that would modernize prior authorization processes for Medicare Advantage plans, including Improving Seniors Timely Access to Care (H.R. 3514) and the Medicare Advantage Improvement Act (H.R. 8375). Read the full story >>

Doctors and patients complain that the controversial practice of prior authorization for treatment and procedures is still widespread.

05/19/2026

When cyberattacks disrupt operations, patient care and safety must continue.

At the 2026 Quality and Patient Safety Conference, moderator Kim Streit (Florida Hospital Association) will lead a discussion with Scott Arnold (), Phyllis Baum () and Ryan Smith () on how hospitals can stay prepared to adapt quickly and maintain continuity of care for every patient, every time. Learn more and register here >> https://events.fha.org/event/QPS2026/regPage:717736cf-a718-4dd3-90fd-67a77b4a3ac8

05/18/2026

In honor of Mental Health Awareness month, FHA President and CEO Mary Mayhew sat down with Vicky Sabharwal, Vice President and CEO of Jackson Health System's Behavioral Health Hospital, to reflect on Florida's mental health continuum of care, past and present, with a nod to future opportunities to improve access to services for residents across the state.

"[Mental Health Awareness Month]... reinforces our responsibility to create environments where mental health is treated with the same urgency, compassion and respect as physical health," said Sabharwal.

Amid workforce challenges, low reimbursements that do not reflect the true cost of care and growing demand for services, Florida's healthcare system faces numerous challenges. Despite these challenges, Florida's hospitals are working hard to provide 24/7 access to care to support Floridians' mental health and well-being across the state. Watch the full interview here >> https://youtu.be/DP5d8OX4yhw?si=BlbcfX0rUF4SKjFj

05/15/2026

Prior authorization requirements are slowing down the speed of medical care and inserting strangers into the doctor-patient relationship. They’re also adding costs to the healthcare system. FHA is advocating for reforms that give Floridians the insurance system they deserve that operates with clinical urgency and respect for their care needs. Learn more >> https://www.fha.org/FHA/FHA/Health-Care/Payor_Accountability.aspx?hkey=9052f6d8-b66c-493b-89f0-ac3d79a4561b

05/15/2026

FHA president and CEO Mary C. Mayhew is participating in this important discussion today at the invitation of Congressman Aaron Bean. She’ll discuss the clinical, emotional, operational and financial consequences of overly burdensome prior authorization requirements and share policy solutions >> https://bean.house.gov/media/press-releases/media-advisorycongressman-bean-host-dc-health-summit-care-delays-billing

05/14/2026

Health insurance plans’ prior authorization policies are interfering with the physician-patient relationship and causing delays in needed care. 95 percent of physicians report delays in getting their patients needed care because of prior authorization hurdles, and 26 percent report their patients had a serious adverse event, including hospitalization or permanent impairment, as a result. Learn how FHA is advocating for patients over paperwork >> https://www.fha.org/FHA/FHA/Health-Care/Payor_Accountability.aspx?hkey=9052f6d8-b66c-493b-89f0-ac3d79a4561b