Articles

Members say Florida shortchanged

Florida Politics / April 14, 2020

New York's ascension to become one of the world's hot spots for coronavirus outbreaks prompted a prioritization of supplies, personnel and equipment. As the new cases begin to level off, a re-prioritization becomes necessary

Several members of the Florida delegation are making the case that several locations in Florida are starting to fit the criteria of a hot spot. Still, the formula that determines the distribution of resources is flawed.

Alcee Hastings is among the delegation members who feel Florida is being shortchanged in the fight against COVID-19.

In a letter led by Hastings and Castor to Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Seema Verma, the members claim the current system shortchanges states such as Florida.

"(The current formula) does not consider the current and immense burden some hospitals and other providers are currently experiencing and means that not all health care providers will be compensated proportionally, including some children's hospitals," they wrote. "We urge you to prioritize health care systems, like those in Florida, that are overwhelmed and seeing costs skyrocket due to COVID-19 cases for all future funding."

Like those representing other states, the members reaffirmed the goal of protecting health care workers, which requires sufficient personal protective equipment (PPE). But they later repeated the main reason for the letter.

"For all future funding, we strongly urge you to respond to the urgency felt by our communities and health providers, including hospitals, by prioritizing (emergency funding) for Florida and other states most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic," they concluded.

Also signing the letter were Democratic Reps. Crist, Stephanie Murphy, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Donna Shalala, Ted Deutch, Darren Soto, Debbie Mucarsel-Powell, Lois Frankel, Frederica Wilson and Al Lawson. Republicans Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart and Francis Rooney also signed.