The Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department of Children and Families, and the Agency for Health Care Administration are working to launch a network-based opioid recovery pilot program in up to 12 counties, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced on Aug. 4th. Starting this month, Coordinated Opioid Recovery (CORE) will include community-based resources such … Read more
A new analysis from the Florida Policy Institute (FPI) breaks down the impact of the FY 2022-23 budget on the state’s Medicaid population, long term care, and various safety net programs. Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the $110 billion budget in June 2022, an 8.3% increase from the FY 2021-2022 budget. Health and Human … Read more
Last week, Governor Ron DeSantis approved over $400 million in funding for Florida’s child and family well-being, enhancing services to strengthen families and increase supports for foster parents and relative caregivers. “Investments in our children are investments in our future,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “Children should have every opportunity to reach their full potential, and … Read more
On Thursday, the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) announced that it will move forward with the adoption of proposed rule 59A-4.1081 which formally establishes the requirements of the Personal Care Attendant (PCA) Training Program as directed in HB 485, passed during the 2021 Legislative Session. This announcement comes after Governor Ron DeSantis approved three … Read more
Unfinished budget negotiations in the legislature are pushing session past its scheduled adjournment on Friday, due to a mandatory 72-hour “cooling off” period before policy makers can vote on the proposed appropriations bills. Last week, the Florida Policy Institute (FPI) published a 56-page analysis on the House and Senate proposed FY 2022-23 budgets, as well … Read more
Florida legislators will convene next week to review and approve Florida’s 2022-2023 budget. Governor Ron DeSantis released his budget recommendations last month, totaling over $99.7 billion. Health care-wise, the “Freedom First Budget” provides support for substance use disorder services and direct care providers, but leaves COVID-19 mitigation funding virtually off the table. DeSantis … Read more
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Wednesday that “Florida was right” in prioritizing COVID-19 vaccinations among seniors aged 65 and older after a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) noted a significant reduction in infections, hospitalizations, and deaths among vaccinated Medicare beneficiaries. DeSantis referenced the Centers for Disease Controls’ (CDC) decision in … Read more
Governor Ron DeSantis announced Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s appointment as Florida Surgeon General and Secretary of the Florida Department of Health at a press conference today. Dr. Ladapo will succeed Dr. Scott Rivkees in the role, who announced his departure last month upon the conclusion of his two-year term. Dr. Ladapo also recently started a … Read more
After Texas passed the nation’s most restrictive abortion law to date, despite widespread opposition, Florida Republican lawmakers are considering a similar bill. Kara Gross, the Legislative Director and Senior Policy Counsel of the ACLU of Florida, says a similar move in Florida would have “devastating” effects not only for state residents, but nationwide as well. … Read more
Florida hospitals have consistently had some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations in the nation, especially as the Delta variant spreads throughout the state. However, hospital officials are now saying Florida has finally reached a peak. Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services shows that 13,452 Floridians … Read more