Ray Rodrigues Named HCAF's Legislator of the Year

The Home Care Association of Florida (HCAF) named Rep. Ray Rodrigues, R-Ft. Myers, as its legislator of the year on Wednesday to honor his efforts to reduce fees when required reports are turned in late. 

HCAF Director of Communications & Government Affairs Leanne Norr praised Rodrigues on Wednesday. 
 
"It's time our lawmakers come up with viable solutions to deal with the rising senior population here in Florida and their health-care needs,” Norr said. “Rep. Rodrigues not only understands the challenges that Florida home care patients face, but he has proactively supported 21st century solutions to enhance quality and access to care, like telemedicine practices.
 
"Rep. Rodrigues' staunch commitment to decreasing burdensome government regulations within the home health industry has allowed agencies to provide quality health-care for more patients in the comfort of their own homes,” Nor continued. “Through his sponsorship and passage of HB 441 this past legislative session, he has saved home care agencies thousands of dollars, allowing them to keep their doors open for patients during a time where they face more stifling government regulations than ever before.
 
"We applaud Rep. Rodrigues for his unwavering commitment to home health care and for his dedicated leadership helping home health agencies deliver quality care to more Floridians,” Norr said in conclusion. 

 "The home care industry has proved that it can provide cost-effective, high quality health-care to Florida residents,” Rodrigues said. “Home health professionals who dedicate their lives to helping patients receive quality care should be able to do their jobs without the continued threat of excessive government regulations.
 
"It's our moral obligation to make sure that Florida patients get high quality care at affordable rates. Implementing policies that allow home health agencies to expand, hire more health-care professionals, and care for more patients not only helps more people stay healthy, but it also contributes to a healthy Florida economy," Rodrigues added. "I thank the Home Care Association of Florida for this honor and will continue to work on common-sense solutions that will help home care agencies and patients thrive."