Florida hospitals hoping state doesn’t cut Medicaid rates

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — With the latest legislative session underway, lawmakers said they’re trying not to cut Medicaid rates, and one of the state’s largest hospital systems is watching closely.

In two weeks in Tallahassee, certain hospitals across Florida, still feeling the effects of the pandemic, brace for word that the state’s final budget won’t involve cuts to Medicaid.

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“For our hospitals, it’s an extremely important thing that the investment in Medicaid not be reduced,” said Justin Senior, CEO of Safety Net Hospital Alliance of Florida, a network of 14 of the state’s largest hospital systems that provide care to both uninsured and insured patients and relies on Medicaid.

He said about 16% to 20% of the revenue comes from Medicaid.

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Any rate slash would disproportionately hurt Florida’s entire network of safety net hospitals that includes Orlando Health and Halifax Health, Senior said.

Senior said there are no funds designated in this latest federal stimulus package for the country’s safety-net hospitals.

It will be up to each state to decide how to handle their allotment.

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Cox Media Group