Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis continued his mission to protect Florida from frivolous lawsuits amid the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Joined by state officials and leaders in the healthcare industry, Patronis hosted a press conference at Gulf Coast Medical Center in Fort Myers on Tuesday as part of his “Supporting Our Health Care Heroes” tour aimed at advocating for liability protections for frontline healthcare workers.

“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 – our seniors. These frontline heroes have been working long hours and maintaining stringent health safety processes to protect our seniors,” Patronis said. “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 we must step up and protect them as they have worked to protect us.”

Proud to stand with our healthcare heroes today in Southwest Florida to fight for vital #COVID19 liability protections for our healthcare & long-term care facilities. We must support these heroes as they work to protect us! https://t.co/xEzs0T4L8R

— Jimmy Patronis (@JimmyPatronis) January 19, 2021

Patronis was joined by the Florida Health Care Association (FHCA), Florida Hospital Association (FHA), Florida Medical Association (FMA) and Safety Net Hospital Alliance, who also emphasized the need for COVID-19 liability protections in 2021.

“Our healthcare heroes on the frontlines showed up every day, putting themselves in harm’s way to protect their residents, ” said Emmett Reed, Executive Director of FHCA. We applaud CFO Patronis for recognizing the need for liability protections for our long term care centers. Our heroic caregivers should be able to do their jobs without the fear of being sued for doing the best they can under challenging circumstances.”

As the pandemic lingers in the state, Patronis continues his crusade to shield Florida’s battered economy from predatory lawsuits. Today’s press conference was Patronis’ latest stop on a statewide tour to encourage lawmakers to protect Florida’s lifeblood — businesses and long-term care personnel — and help the Sunshine State recover from the fallout of the virus.

Patronis, who also serves as the State Fire Marshal, has been one of the state’s most vocal advocates against COVID-19 lawsuits. Aside from his role in pushing for comprehensive legislation this session, Patronis has also been in the trenches in the fight against coronavirus. The CFO has requested that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provide utility workers with access to the COVID-19 vaccine before the 2021 hurricane season, and he has also led the charge to use Florida firefighters to assist with the state’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution.

“I was proud to be joined in Fort Myers to honor the hard work and heroic efforts of our frontline health care professionals including the doctors, nurses and medical staff that have been on the forefront of this pandemic for nearly a year now,” Patronis said following today’s presser. “My top priority this legislative session will be to encourage Legislators to pass meaningful liability protections that includes our health care and long-term care communities, and I look forward to working with members on this critical issue.”

Apart from traversing the state and making appearances at local businesses and hospitals, Patronis also released his guiding principles earlier this month as a tool for state officials to use when crafting liability protection legislation for the upcoming legislative session.