December 5, 2023 — Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Florida’s Future Budget recommendations continue his bold commitment to leave no stone unturned when it comes to pursuing innovative ways to improve the lives and care of Florida’s most vulnerable through funding for the Agency for Health Care Administration. The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget provides the Agency with the necessary tools to continue furthering our mission of making Florida’s healthcare system the most cost-effective, the most transparent, and the highest quality in the nation.
“Governor DeSantis continues to promote initiatives that disrupt the status quo and provide innovative ways to strengthen our health care system and better serve all Floridians,” said Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Jason Weida. “The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget provides significant funding to the Agency that will help modernize and improve our health system, advance research and care, reward health care professionals, and support the state’s vulnerable populations. In Florida, we are very fortunate to have a hard-working and diligent Governor who has been focused from the start of this administration on the challenges surrounding health care.”
Highlights from Governor DeSantis’ budget recommendations for the Agency include:
- $303.4 million for Medicaid Provider Rates
Investing in Florida’s providers is essential to maintaining our status as the premier state to visit and call home. The Governor recommended increases of $116.8 million to adjust provider compensation related to obstetric and pediatric care. An increase of $79.1 million is provided to increase the reimbursement for physicians providing care to adult enrollees. Funds are also included to increase rates to support the continuum of care to address behavioral health needs, including Early Intervention Services, Therapeutic Group Homes, and the Statewide Inpatient Psychiatric Program (SIPP).
- $8.6 million for Innovation in Behavioral Health
This investment will allow the Agency to redesign a reimbursement model and to reimburse collaborative care between primary and behavioral health providers to better serve Floridians’ behavioral health needs.
- $3.2 million for Health Care Transparency
The Focus on Florida’s Future Budget provides much-needed funding to continue our mission of transparency and provide Floridians with the vital tools and knowledge they need to make informed, cost-effective healthcare decisions.
- $1.2 million for Emergency Operations
This investment helps to ensure our health care facilities are better prepared for the impacts of hurricane season and provides support to protect the life and safety of employees, patients, and residents during a disaster.
- $153.9 million for the Florida Health Care Connections Project (FX)
This investment will allow the Agency to continue prioritizing technology initiatives that promote coordinated care.
The proposals found in the Focus on Florida’s Future Budget invests principled funding that serves to bolster and advance Florida’s health care system for generations.
The Agency for Health Care Administration is Florida’s chief health policy and planning entity. The Agency is responsible for administering the Florida Medicaid program, the licensure and regulation of nearly 50,000 health care facilities, and empowering consumers through health care transparency initiatives.
