2025 Legislative Priorities
FAFCC: Expanding Access to Healthcare for Floridians
The Florida Association of Free and Charitable Clinics (FAFCC) represents over 100 nonprofit clinics providing essential healthcare services to uninsured and underserved populations. With state investment, our clinics deliver high-quality, cost-effective care that reduces emergency room visits and improves community health outcomes. It’s not just compassionate—it’s smart, cost-effective policy.
2025 Legislative Priorities
- Secure Continued Funding for Dental & Mental Health Services
- Ask: Approve the $3 million in non-recurring state funding again to ensure continued access to dental and mental healthcare for underserved Floridians.
- Impact: In the last year, state-funded clinics provided over 40,000 dental visits and 35,000 mental health visits to low-income Floridians.
- Cost Savings: Early interventions prevent costly ER visits and hospitalizations, reducing the financial burden on the state.
- Protect and Expand Volunteer Provider Sovereign Immunity
- Ask: Expand Florida’s sovereign immunity protections to include dental and dental hygienist students volunteering in free and charitable clinics.
- Impact: Expanding protections will increase dental workforce capacity, allowing clinics to serve more patients while offering hands-on training for future healthcare providers.
- State Savings: Free and charitable clinics provide over $230 million in care annually at a fraction of the cost to taxpayers.
The Value of Free & Charitable Clinics
✔ Over 242,000 unduplicated patients served annually
✔ $266 Million in care delivered at no cost to patients
✔ Over 12,000 Volunteers, including physicians, nurses, dentists, and mental health professionals
✔ Emergency Room Diversion: Clinics significantly reduce the burden on hospitals by providing accessible primary and preventive care
Return on Investment: Florida’s $12.5 Million State Investment in 2024
- $9.5 million State Funds Grant and $3 million for dental and mental health services enabled clinics to leverage additional funding sources, creating a 21:1 return on investment.
- Total Value of Care Generated: Over $266 million in healthcare services provided to Florida’s most vulnerable populations.
- Efficient Use of State Funds: Every $1 million invested translates into $21 million in direct healthcare services.
Your Support Ensures:
✔ More Floridians receive essential healthcare.
✔ State dollars are maximized with high-impact investments.
✔ Communities benefit from healthier, more productive residents.
Join Us in Strengthening Florida’s Healthcare Safety Net
Rebecca DeLorenzo, CEO
📞 (904) 337-9124
📧 Rebecca@fafcc.org
🌐 www.fafcc.or
Invest in Community Health. Strengthen Florida’s Future.