Page 149 - Jan 2013

January 2013 | Business World Magazine | 149
challenge” will be confronted with the com-
ing new year; one that involves the legislative
mandate for an HMO to take over the ad-
ministration of Medicaid reimbursements,
a move Polivka-West says will add “another
layer of administrative oversight that is very
concerning.”
While a proportion of Florida’s bud-
get will now have to cover costs for imple-
mentation of that new layer of oversight,
the HMO is also tasked with shaving an
additional five percent of existing costs. As
this matter continues to be discussed and re-
viewed between the State and involved agen-
cies, with no clear understanding, as yet, as
to how goals will be actualized, Polivka-West
predicts that it is likely to generate contro-
versy.
But in this case, as all others, theFHCA
will maintain what Polivka-West describes as
“a healthy working partnership” with all the
players involved - legislators, state agencies
and healthcare providers alike. That work is
furthered through the efforts of FHCA’s ex-
ceedingly capable political action committee
that annually advises on any and all matters
of initiative.
As Polivka-West observes, “We have
people to care for… so we have to target our
resources accordingly.” She adds that FHCA
will continue to function as “the best spokes-
person for the long-term care of the frail el-
derly and disabled.”
“We represent quality, we represent
appropriate reimbursement, we represent ex-
pertise in policy making and advocacy… and
we represent a business profession that is ab-
solutely necessary to care for our frail elders
and people with disability.”
And in so fulfilling that role with the
degree of knowledge, expertise and com-
mitment they bring to the table, the FHCA
represents something else – the best hope for
the future of health care in Florida. o