The MolinaCares Accord Hosts Panel on Health Care Workforce Shortage in Florida
Media Contact: Caroline Zubieta, Caroline.Zubieta@MolinaHealthcare.com, 562-951-1588
TALLAHASSEE, Fla – May 23, 2023 – The MolinaCares Accord, (“MolinaCares”), in collaboration with Molina Healthcare of Florida (“Molina”), hosted a virtual panel on May 16 focused on innovative approaches to ensuring the health and well-being of Floridians as Florida’s health care systems face a workforce deficit.
Dr. Mark Bloom, Molina’s chief medical officer, hosted the discussion, with a keynote from Florida State Senator Jay Collins, a combat medic who served as a Green Beret in Afghanistan. Christine Sexton, a reporter from Florida Politics and author of the Diagnosis health newsletter, moderated the panel discussion. Expert panelist participants included Michelle Canale, assistant dean of the University of South Florida’s nurse anesthesiology program; Kristin Knapp, workforce liaison for the Florida Health Care Association; and Dave Sobush, director of research for the Florida Chamber of Commerce.
“As Molina’s chief medical officer, I have seen tremendous improvements in technology and quality of care led by amazing men and women who put patients first during the challenges of the pandemic and in their daily work,” said Dr. Bloom. “But attrition and turnover are leading to a historic shortage in our critical health care workforce. As more people move to our state, and as our population continues to mature, the need is great.”
The panel emphasized how the current shortage is threatening quality of care. A 2021 report,released by the Florida Hospital Association and the Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, showed that Florida will face a shortfall of 59,100 nurses by 2035. Additionally, assisted living facilities are being impacted as nursing homes lost 210,000 workers from February 2020 to December 2022.
Senator Collins highlighted the Florida legislature’s ongoing work to address this issue, including reforming the occupational licensing process, making it easier for health care providers from around the nation to find similar work in Florida.
The full panel discussion can be viewed here.
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About The MolinaCares Accord
Established by Molina Healthcare, Inc., The MolinaCares Accord oversees a community investment platform created to improve the health and well-being of disadvantaged populations by funding meaningful, measurable, and innovative programs and solutions that improve health, life, and living in local communities.
About Molina Healthcare of Florida
Molina Healthcare of Florida has been providing government-funded, quality health care since 2008. The Company serves members through Medicaid, Medicare, and Health Insurance Marketplace programs throughout Florida. Through its locally operated health plans, Molina Healthcare, Inc., a FORTUNE 500 company (currently ranked 125), served approximately 5.3 million members as of March 31, 2023, across 19 states. For more information about Molina Healthcare, please visit MolinaHealthcare.com.