Florida Health Care Association Commends Governor DeSantis for Prioritizing Florida’s Nursing Centers in State Budget

TALLAHASSEE, FL – The Florida Health Care Association today applauded Governor DeSantis for prioritizing Florida’s nursing centers and their residents in the state budget for the 2022-2023 fiscal year. The budget includes a 7.8% increase in Medicaid reimbursement for nursing centers, which amounts to an additional $293 million in funding – approximately $419,000 per care center.

The funding increase will allow nursing centers to increase their employee pay, with all staff wages moving to a $15 per hour minimum by October 2022. The budget will also help address the nursing shortage through an allocation of $120 million dedicated to expanding education and training opportunities meant to grow the nursing profession.

“We want to thank Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature, including Senate President Wilton Simpson and House Speaker Chris Sprowls, for giving Florida the ability to grow the health care workforce, which will, in turn, support a stable and sustainable long term care system,” said FHCA Chief Executive Officer Emmett Reed. “This budget provides our care centers the resources necessary to compete in this tight labor market and attract the workers needed to ensure Florida remains a leader in delivering high-quality care.”

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2022

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