Florida Health Care Programs May ‘Become Casualties’ in Likely Budget Reductions

Several Florida health care programs "could become casualties of a budget hole worsened" by the Sept. 11 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, the St. Petersburg Times reports. On Oct. 1, Gov. Jeb Bush (R) called for a "reprioritization" of the state budget after tax receipt estimates "dropped precipitously" in the aftermath of the attacks. He said, "Everything ought to be on the table," adding that the state would likely have to reduce this year's budget by at least $1 billion. State agencies have outlined potential budget reductions in reports that they will send to the state Legislature, which will likely hold a special session later this month to address the state's budget shortfall. According to the Times, the state may eliminate programs that help seniors pay for prescription drugs and that provide some substance abuse treatment for prisoners. State Agency for Health Care Administration officials also have "suggested, with reservations," that the state disqualify adults -- but not pregnant women and children -- from Medicaid's Medically Needy program, which subsidizes care for those who are not categorically Medicaid-eligible but are unable to obtain health insurance in the private market. In addition, Amy Baker, CFO of the state Department of Children and Families, said that a planned closure of the G. Pierce Wood Hospital, a mental health facility in DeSoto County that serves about 25% of the state's counties, would save the department about $19 million (Ulferts, St. Petersburg Times, 10/2).