MIAMI –Dozens of caregivers, healthcare workers and supporters will rally this week outside HCA Florida hospitals to highlight the critical staffing and care crisis at HCA facilities across the state, including May 9 near HCA Florida Largo Hospital. The events will be led by members of 1199SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, the state’s largest union of healthcare workers.

Caregivers are calling for safe staffing levels, increased pay and better protections to help recruit and retain experienced workers, and to improve conditions for patients and their caregivers in one of Florida’s largest private, for-profit hospital systems. At the events, they will share their experiences in front of a “backdrop and hospital room scene” illustrating the crisis and conditions at their facilities.

HCA is the largest healthcare company in the nation and reported approximately $60 billion in revenue and $5.6 billion in profit during 2022, yet a recent study shows the company operates with staffing levels about 30 percent lower than national industry averages. With chronic turnover and experienced caregivers leaving their jobs, the median experience is just two years of experience among HCA staff in Florida, according to 1199SEIU.

The research also illustrates HCA’s pattern of short-staffing, as well as insufficient equipment, resources and training. A series of recent investigative news reports nationally and in Floridarelated to this crisis have exposed examples of dangers to patients and caregivers, and even death.

WHO/WHAT: Caregivers rallying and “acting” to highlight staffing and care crisis at HCA Florida hospitals.

WHEN/WHERE: May 9, 10:30 a.m. -- HCA Florida Largo Hospital, 201 14th Street SW, Largo, FL 33770
May 10, 10:30 a.m. -- HCA Florida Osceola Hospital, 700 West Oak Street, Kissimmee, FL 34741
May 10, 10:30 a.m. -- HCA Florida Palms West Hospital, 13001 Southern Blvd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470
May 11, 10:30 a.m. -- HCA Florida Northwest Hospital. 2801 North State Road 7, Margate, FL 33063

PRE-EVENT CONTACTS:

Ed Gilhuly, egilhuly@leftcom.com | (305)807-6906
Desiree Taylor, desiree.taylor@1199.org | 305-340-1085

ON-SITE CONTACT
Jorge Chavez, 202-308-6427