Governor Signs 2013-14 Florida Budget

Impact on Long Term Health Care Programs At A Glance

Last week, Governor Rick Scott signed the 2013-2014 Florida Budget, reducing it down from $74.5 billion to $74.1 billion as a result of $368 million in line item vetoes. The budget provides $3.01 billion for nursing home care, which, as indicated, reflects full funding of workload and price level increases (inflation). The budget continues the Special Medicaid Payment Program for government-funded nursing homes ($11 million) and eliminates the rate add-on for HIV/AIDS ($4.1 million).

Additionally, the budget increases the nursing home quality assessment by approximately $18 million, to a total of $430.2 million, and increases the rate from $22.89 to approximately $23.87 per non-Medicare patient day. The quality assessment provides for rate "buyback" of approximately $585 million, compared to $540 million in the current year. This is an approximate $45 million increase in the amount of prior year rate reductions to be restored.

Programs vetoed that were related to long term health care for elders included the Supplemental Payment for Nursing Home Ventilators ($2,511,493); Rate Increase for Private Duty Nursing Services Provided by Licensed Practical Nurses ($9,384,984); Alzheimer's Community Care Association ($300,000); Northdale Civic Association - Senior Center ($50,000); Southwest Social Services - Badia Senior Center ($1,000,000) and the Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) in Lee, Hillsborough and Broward Counties ($4,353,039).