House health care budget chair Matt Hudson had his work cut out at the beginning of the 2014 session, and he delivered on these goals in big ways.
Hudson delivered for Edison State College in its rebranding as Florida South Western State college (HB 137); delivered for people and children with severe allergic reactions (HB 1131); delivered for the East Naples Fire Control and Rescue District (HB 949); and delivered for the Collier County/Golden Gate Fire district, too (HB 951).
All of these passed the House and Senate.
But standing out among Hudson’s wins was HB 709, on Alzheimer’s disease. This important bill supports individuals currently suffering from Alzheimer’s disease while also establishing a competitive grant program for Alzheimer’s research to be conducted in Florida. The measure also develops and maintains special needs shelter guidelines — important to persons with cognitive disabilities during times of emergency.
As noted elsewhere, Hudson’s leadership — alongside that of Senate health care budget chair Denise Grimsley — brought huge returns for elderly and disabled Floridians, including through the funding of various regional caregiver and respite support services.
