florida budget

The legislative session was highlighted by "Live Healthy" and other health projects. When the $116.5 billion budget was unveiled, it included big numbers for expectant moms, kids, mental health and cancer research.

The center is part of the Els for Autism Foundation, which was created in 2009 after Ben Els, son of professional golfer Ernie Els and his wife, Liezl, was diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder.

Tom Wallace, an AHCA deputy secretary, says that state and federal officials have had “back and forth” since December about proposed changes in what is known as a waiver that plays a critical role in the Medicaid program.

Groups representing nursing homes, hospitals, assisted living facilities and home health providers detail issues such as nurse and CNA shortages and a lack of nursing faculty and student slots at colleges.

Senate sponsor Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, said in March that the additional money would help Moffitt Cancer Center build a new campus.

House and Senate differences remain on proposals to extend Medicaid benefits for postpartum women and earmarks for hospitals and nursing homes.

Lawmakers have roughly three weeks to reach agreement on a budget, a period coinciding with an expected increase in Medicaid funding from the federal government.

Top Republican leaders in the Florida House and Senate acknowledged there could be health care cuts as they struggle to craft a balanced budget amid the economic wreckage caused by the coronavirus.

The governor did not recommend Medicaid rate cuts for nursing homes or hospitals, pleasing those facilities. But other groups said the plan falls short in funding for people with developmental disabilities.

Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed more than $140.5 million in health care spending from the state’s new budget Monday as he brought the spending plan in line with…