The governor’s proposed $83.5 billion budget looks to cut $1.1 billion in spending mostly through reduced payments to hospitals, according to the report.
“Florida hospitals continue to have record profits and the governor is committed to fighting price gouging and unfair costs for Floridians needing important medical care,” Gov. Scott said, according to the report.
However, healthcare industry advocates said a third of the proposed cuts would greatly affect mission-based or teaching hospitals.
“Deep cuts to Medicaid funding will damage healthcare access for millions of children and pregnant women served by the program,” Bruce Rueben, president of the Florida Hospital Association, told Pensacola News Journal.
More articles on finance:
HCA profit soars 58% to $920M in Q4
Louisiana Heart Hospital to close after filing for bankruptcy
CBO releases annual budget outlook: 7 healthcare takeaways