FHCA Applauds Governor DeSantis for Increasing Medicaid Funding for Nursing Center Residents in Freedom First Budget

TALLAHASSEE, FL - Florida Health Care Association Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed applauded Governor Ron DeSantis for prioritizing Florida's long term caregivers and the residents entrusted to his care in his Freedom First budget recommendations for FY 2022-2023. Specifically, the Governor's budget includes a 5% increase in Medicaid reimbursement for nursing centers, which amounts to an additional $185 million in funding or approximately $270,000 per care center.

The following statement is attributable to FHCA Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed.

"FHCA appreciates Governor DeSantis for recognizing the need to increase Medicaid funding for Florida's nursing center residents. Meaningful investments in our state's nursing centers will help address the workforce challenges that providers are facing. The Governor's recommended budget is an important first step toward ensuring these care centers have the resources needed to be competitive employers and offer higher wages and better benefits to attract new workers and incentivize current workers to stay.

We look forward to working with the House and the Senate in the upcoming session as they develop their budgets to ensure that Florida's long term caregivers are supported so Florida's seniors can continue getting the quality care they need."

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 9 2021

PRESS CONTACT
Kristen Knapp, APR
850-510-4389 or kknapp@fhca.org