LeadingAge Florida, Florida’s only association representing the entire continuum of care for older adults, issued a statement following the release of Governor DeSantis’ Focus on Florida’s Future budget proposal.
The following statement is attributable to President and CEO Steve Bahmer.
“We extend our gratitude to Governor DeSantis for his budget proposal and his continued commitment to the well-being of Florida’s older adults and its most vulnerable population.
Rising costs, driven by factors such as increased labor expenses, and the overall economic impact of inflation, have placed an immense strain on long-term care facilities. The dedication to funding long-term care facilities is therefore crucial, as these facilities play a pivotal role in providing quality care and support for our aging community. The proposed financial support represents a great beginning in addressing the needs of providers across our state.
In addition to supporting long-term care facilities, LeadingAge Florida is pleased to note the Governor’s attention to crucial areas such as home and community-based services. These resources are instrumental in enabling seniors to age in place, surrounded by the comfort of their homes and communities. The commitment to bolstering these services is a positive step towards providing comprehensive and accessible care options for Florida’s elderly.
Moreover, we commend the focus on affordable housing within the proposed budget. Access to safe and affordable housing is a fundamental pillar in enhancing the quality of life for older adults.
We look forward to our continued collaboration with the Governor, our Legislature, and other stakeholders to ensure that these crucial funds are successfully appropriated.”
The budget includes:
Medicaid
- Medicaid rate increase for nursing homes of $29 million.
- Maintained Medicaid funding for Assisted Living Facilities, home health, and home and community based services.
Affordable Housing
The budget includes $298.1 million to fully fund affordable and workforce housing. This includes $89.5 million for the State Apartment Incentive Loan (SAIL) Program and $208.6 million for the State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP). The budget also includes $100 million for the third year of the Hometown Heroes Housing Program, which helps make homeownership more affordable for eligible frontline community workers and other Florida families.
The budget includes $10 million in new funding to support rental assistance targeted to seniors who are faced with housing instability.
Department of Elder Affairs
To support Florida’s seniors, the Governor’s Budget recommends:
- An additional $6 million to serve additional seniors as part of the Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative.
- More than $2 million in additional funding for the Florida Alzheimer’s Center of Excellence.
- $15 million is provided for a total of $119 million, to increase services through the Community Care for the Elderly Program and the Home Care for the Elderly Program. Funding will provide additional support for seniors at risk for out of home placement. These services and supports include adult day care, respite for caregivers, home delivered meals, and minor home modifications allowing them to continue to live in their homes.
Workforce
To continue elevating Florida’s workforce program, the Focus on Florida’s Future
Budget includes an historic $853 million for workforce education programs, ensuring that Floridians can continue to access workforce education opportunities that lead to high-demand, high-wage jobs. This investment includes:
- $125 million for nursing education programs to help address nursing vacancies.
- $35 million for the Open-Door Grant Program to support workforce education programs operated by school districts and state colleges.
- $20 million for the Governor’s Pathways to Career Opportunities Grant Program to support pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs for high school and college students.
For 60 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.
