2022 Florida budget

Gov. Ron DeSantis said he will approve $100 million in the upcoming year’s state budget for cancer research, $37 million more than in the current year.

The health system says the facility, nearly four decades old, is in dire need of renovation. Legislators included the money in the state budget they will vote on Monday.

The Florida Hospital Association said the House budget is harsher on hospitals, but said both chambers are proposing to eliminate funds for facilities that treat large numbers of Medicaid patients.

The House and Senate moved quickly to pass the measure to extend COVID legal protections for hospitals, nursing homes and other providers. DeSantis will have until Feb. 24 to act on the bill.

Republican Sen. Aaron Bean describes his proposal as more of a “tweak” to the system, but some say there’s a lot left undone.

Health care-related measures in the proposal are targeted to combat the opioid epidemic, boost mental health programs and assist the elderly, veterans and people with disabilities.