Brooks Rehabilitation Hosts “Victory for Florida’s Health Care Heroes” to Celebrate Passage of COVID-19 Liability Protections

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Tuesday, April 20, 2021, Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis hosted a ‘Victory for Florida’s Health Care Heroes’ event at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville, Fla., to celebrate the recent passage of Senate Bill 72, which provided vital liability protections for Florida’s health care workers and long-term care personnel. The CFO was joined by representatives from the Florida Health Care Association, Florida Hospital Association and Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida.

CFO Jimmy Patronis said, “Since the pandemic began, our state’s health care and long-term care personnel have been on the frontlines, fighting to protect Floridians, especially our state’s most vulnerable population – seniors. These frontline heroes have been working long hours and maintaining stringent health safety processes to protect our state’s most vulnerable population. They have fought through PPE shortages, and put their own lives on the line to protect our friends, family and loved ones from this serious virus. That is why it was so important for us to step up and protect them as they have worked to protect us.

Brooks Rehabilitation President & CEO Doug Baer said, “As the leader in providing post-acute rehabilitative care, our health care heroes worked relentlessly during the global pandemic. Brooks is grateful to CFO Jimmy Patronis and was proud to host the Victory for Health Care Heroes event and join him in celebrating all heroes who have gone above and beyond to ensure patients and residents receive exceptional and safe care.”

“This legislation was a huge win for Florida and a major step to get Florida’s economy back on its feet and ensure our state fully recovers from this pandemic,” Patronis said. “This was the single most important piece of legislation in our state and a huge milestone for businesses and health care workers who no longer have to live in fear of frivolous COVID-19 litigation. Florida has vaccinated over 3.5 million seniors.”