Page 4 - SFHN March 2021

Protecting Health Care in the State Budget
Coming Is Critical to Preserving Access to High Quality Care

next month in
South Florida When the Florida Legis - increase to fund the state’s the people within them – the individuals
lature officially begins Medicaid program to cover who deliver care and compassion every
Hospital News meeting March 2, lawmak- the increased costs largely day. Prioritizing health care funding in
ers can demonstrate our as a result of an increase in the budget is about prioritizing the con-
and Healthcare state’s commitment to a enrollment of over 750,000 tributions of the hundreds of thousands
Report... strong and vital health care due to the economic down- of physicians, nurses, aides, therapists,
and others who daily endeavor to heal
delivery system. Among its
turn in our state. More than
items for the 60-day session 4.5 million Floridians rely wounds, restore function, alleviate pain

is the budget to govern on Medicaid for health care, and suffering, and repair what was bro-
•Healthcare state spending for 2021- a number that increased 20 ken. It is also about prioritizing a health
2022. Funding the state’s percent over the course of care infrastructure to ensure that it is
Volunteerism Medicaid program, a criti- the pandemic as job losses always ready, always available, and
cal safety net program serv- BY MARY MAYHEW mounted, and families lost always capable of responding to any
in South Florida ing nearly 4.5 million access to employer-provid- emergency or crisis, whether it involves
Floridians, without cutting ed health insurance cover- one person or many.
• Healthcare payments to hospitals and other age. The pandemic has shone the brightest
providers is key to that commitment. Along with increased unemployment, of spotlights on the need for a strong,
Consulting/Outsourcing Governor Ron DeSantis released his the pandemic’s impact on the economy always-ready health care system. Being
proposed state budget in late January. also resulted in decreased sales tax col- ready and responsive 24-hours a day,
• Insurance for While those recommendations are not lections. With greater need for govern- seven days a week carries major costs,
directives to state budget writers, they ment services but less revenue, state many of which are not immediately obvi-
Healthcare are an indication of the Governor’s prior- budget writers have difficult choices to ous to the casual observer. These include
ities for state tax dollars. The Governor’s make because not every funding need around-the-clock staffing of highly
Professionals, budget proposal makes clear that health can be fully met. trained professionals; an array of equip-
care is chief among his priorities. Going into budget discussions this ment, supplies, and medications on
Businesses, Consumers The pandemic will exact a prolonged year, lawmakers must contend with a standby; and the ability to add surge
economic toll on Florida and require sus- deficit of over $2 billion, including a pro- capacity to meet higher-than-usual need
•Organ and Tissue tained investment in the health care jected $1.2 billion shortfall in general for care.
workforce, infrastructure, preparedness, revenue for Medicaid. A budget, whether for a household or a
Donation Awareness and continued health care coverage. The challenge for lawmakers is that, government, reflects choices and priori-
The Governor’s budget proposes no unlike the federal government, the state’s ties. Florida’s hospitals and the tens of
cuts to the state’s health care programs, budget must be balanced. By law, there thousands of individuals who give mean-

For more information particularly Medicaid, the health care can be no deficit in any state fund. This ing to hospitals’ work are relying on state
on advertising and coverage program for low-income par- balance requires tough choices. lawmakers to follow the Governor’s lead
editorial opportunities, call ents and children, individuals with dis- Prioritizing health care funding in the and prioritize health care.
(561) 368-6950 today! abilities, and the elderly. Indeed, his rec- budget is not about prioritizing buildings
ommended 2021-2022 state budget or facilities. Hospitals, clinics, and long- Mary Mayhew is President and CEO of
includes a 17 percent general revenue term care facilities are nothing without the Florida Hospital Association.

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4 March 2021 southfloridahospitalnews.com South Florida Hospital News