Key Investments Strengthen Emergency Preparedness, Accelerate Innovation and Expand Access to Care
Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Hospital Association (FHA) applauded the Florida Legislature for making strategic investments in health care as part of the 2025-2026 state fiscal year budget. These investments prioritize innovative research, hospital hardening and mitigation grants and expanded access to care for vulnerable Floridians.
“The Florida Legislature's commitment to invest strategically in emergency preparedness, innovation and access to care for Florida's most vulnerable residents will have a lasting impact,” said Mary C. Mayhew, President and CEO of FHA. “We are grateful to Senate President Ben Albritton, House Speaker Daniel Perez and members of the Florida Legislature for their commitment to strengthening Florida's health care delivery system. These investments give our hospitals great confidence to deliver modern, sophisticated health care as our population and their health care needs continue to grow.”
Budget highlights include:
- $15 million to support hospitals performing intestinal transplants.
- $10 million for the Cancer Connect Collaborative Incubator to advance pediatric cancer care and treatment research by specialty children’s hospitals.
- $10 million to support a statewide grant pilot program for integrated residential treatment services for women with persistent mental illness and substance use disorders.
- Funding for hospital hardening and mitigation.
- Language directing the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) and the Florida Department of Health (DOH) to seek the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' approval of the prospective payment system for behavioral health ambulatory services provided by Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs).
- Full funding of the most recent Social Services Estimating Conference estimates for Florida Medicaid.
- If Governor DeSantis approves and signs the state budget, funding will benefit programs throughout the State Fiscal Year 2025-2026, which begins July 1.
To learn more about FHA and its advocacy efforts, visit www.FHA.org.
About FHA
Founded in 1927, the Florida Hospital Association (FHA) is the leading voice for health care in the State of Florida. Through representation and advocacy, education and informational services, the Florida Hospital Association supports the mission of over 200 hospitals and health care systems to provide the highest quality of care to the patients we serve. Led by President and CEO Mary Mayhew, the Florida Hospital Association is located in Tallahassee and is governed by a Board of Trustees and officers elected by the member institutions.
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