During the 2020 Legislative session, LeadingAge Florida advocated for a Medicaid inflationary increase in nursing home funding to ensure continued access to high-quality care. Governor Ron DeSantis retained the $105 million increase in approving the budget today.
“We deeply appreciate the Governor retaining and approving this critically important increase in Medicaid funding for nursing homes,” said Steve Bahmer, LeadingAge Florida President and CEO. “Caregivers in nursing homes have done truly incredible work in serving seniors throughout the pandemic, and these badly needed resources could not come at a more important time. They will help ensure that Florida’s seniors have access to the highest quality of care.”
“We know the Governor was faced with a number of difficult decisions in preparing this year’s budget, and we are grateful for his support of the caregivers and communities who care for Florida’s seniors.”
LeadingAge Florida also worked to ensure these additional Medicaid dollars are recurring and that they are distributed equitably across nursing homes in Florida. Nursing homes historically received an inflationary rate increase that was built into the base budget until 2009, when the Legislature imposed a rate freeze for nursing homes that remained in place until today.
For more than 57 years, LeadingAge Florida has been the state’s leading advocate for high-quality senior living, aging services and care. We are the only statewide association representing the full continuum of care for seniors. The Association provides up-to-date regulatory information, a wide variety of educational opportunities, representation before the Legislature and government agencies, group purchasing services, and opportunities for networking with peers to help member communities best serve the needs of Florida’s senior population.
