Randall McElheney (right), long-time Panama City pharmacist and operator of Community Health and Rehabilitation Center, was honored as the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA) 2021 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award recipient for his years of elder care advocacy. The award, presented in front of more than 600 long term care professionals during FHCA’s 2021 Annual Conference in Orlando, is given annually to an FHCA member who shows a strong dedication to the association’s legislative efforts that results in positive outcomes for Florida’s long term care residents and frontline caregivers.
“Randall is an exceptional leader who works tirelessly to ensure the voices of our state’s seniors and those who care for them were heard,” said Emmett Reed, Florida Health Care Association Chief Executive Officer. “During the 2021 session, Randall led the way in protecting vital funding for Florida’s nursing home residents, and I can’t think of another advocate more deserving of this award.”
McElheney has been an active member of FHCA for over 20 years, and throughout that time was actively involved in the association’s annual legislative platform. He has worked with FHCA’s government affairs team to pass liability reform, develop a Prospective Payment System that rewards providers’ quality improvements and secure increases in Medicaid reimbursement. Under McElheney’s leadership, long term care providers have had a real presence among key legislators, which was especially important in 2021 when the Florida House of Representatives considered imposing a funding cut on nursing homes. McElheney effectively educated lawmakers about nursing homes’ financial challenges that were brought on by the pandemic, and as a result, vital Medicaid funding remained intact when the final budget passed.
The 2021 Arthur H. Harris Government Services Award is part of Florida Health Care Association’s Long Term Care Excellence Achievement Awards which were presented during FHCA’s Annual Conference, July 25-29, at the Rosen Shingle Creek in Orlando. These awards annually honor a Nursing Home and Assisted Living Facility Administrator of the Year, a business partner and other individuals for their service and dedication to long term care. For more information about FHCA’s Long Term Care Excellence Achievement Awards, visit the FHCA website.