Dear Friends:

Every summer state agencies begin the process of thinking about their legislative agenda and their budget requests for the next Session.  The ink is hardly dry on this year’s bills and budget, but our team is already thinking about the things we would like to do for the next year.

Because we work in partnership with so many providers across the state and have the opportunity to touch so many patients, we are interested in your ideas for improving how we do business, how we work with you, how we serve you better. . .  In addition, because the revenue forecasts continue to trend downwards, we are looking for ways to stretch our resources even further to meet ever-increasing needs.

Do you have ideas?  Will you share them with us?  Are there laws on the books that make it difficult or more costly for you to serve the people you want to serve?  Do you have a big idea on how we can redesign or refocus our system to prepare it for the Baby Boomers who are reaching retirement age?  We welcome your input, and I hope you will respond to this e-mail with your ideas on how we can make a difference.

Beyond working on our agenda for the year ahead, we continue to visit legislators around the state to see health care innovation in their communities.  Last week we visited Representative Jimmy Patronis in Panama City and toured Bay Medical Center, Gulf Coast Community Hospital and PanCare Community Health Center.  All three are important partners in our efforts to serve Medicaid beneficiaries, and PanCare Community Health Center is particularly important in our efforts to find primary care for our beneficiaries.  Their leaders identified challenges in working with us, but also expressed their commitment to setting high standards for care and accountability.

We have many valuable partners around the state, and together we can continue to improve Florida’s health care system.  Thank you, in advance, for your ideas.

Sincerely,