LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, issued a statement following the House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee release of the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 committee budget proposal.
The following statement is attributable to President and CEO Steve Bahmer.
“We’re grateful to the House leadership for their continued investment in long-term care and their recognition of the continually increasing costs in Florida’s nursing homes.
We have always advocated for taxpayer dollars spent on Medicaid reimbursement for Florida nursing homes to result in the delivery of the highest possible quality of care for seniors. Therefore, in conjunction with the new proposed funding for quality, we also support adjustments to the nursing home funding system that prioritize funding for direct care.
Allocating increased funding toward direct care, as opposed to the current prospective payment system parameters, provides more funding to high quality providers who invest more in direct patient care.
We’re also appreciative of the $5 million in additional funding to serve more than 1,000 new residents through home and community-based services—a critical part of the long-term care continuum.
An effective continuum ensures that all levels of care are available as needed, providing the right care, at the right time, in the right setting.”
