To Cover $1B State Budget Deficit, Florida Lawmakers To Consider Cuts to Health Programs

In a Nov. 27 special session, Florida lawmakers could begin reducing funding for health programs to cover a $1 billion shortfall in the state's budget, the South Florida Sun-Sentinel reports (Hollis, South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 11/27). Lawmakers met last month to "fix the deficit," but the House and Senate could not agree on a budget (Ulferts/Bousquet, St. Petersburg Times, 11/25). Now, lawmakers are reconvening in a special "budget-cutting session" under pressure from Gov. Jeb Bush (R) to compromise and pass a budget (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 11/27). House leaders are looking to restore some funding from the $1.3 billion in cuts they passed last month, and the Senate will make further reductions in addition to the $800 million in cuts it approved last month, the St. Petersburg Times reports (St. Petersburg Times, 11/25). Because health care programs and education account for 80% of state spending, "those areas are certain to experience most of the pain," the Sun-Sentinel reports. However, health care programs have been "attracting political attention," and lawmakers are working to make cuts "less noticeable" in those areas. For example, a state Senate health funding committee on Nov. 26 began "trading" proposed cuts for Alzheimers' patients and pregnant women in favor of cuts in substance abuse programs for prison inmates. Legislators also could cut $17 million from prenatal services for moderate income women, $22.5 million for low-income patients' prescription medications and $14.5 million to reduce tobacco use, the Sun-Sentinel reports. In addition, lawmakers might end the Department of Health's "full-service schools" program, which provides health care and social services at 457 schools. Eliminating the program would save $5.5 million (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 11/27). Funding for seniors' hearing aids is also "on the chopping block" (St. Petersburg Times, 11/25).

Cutting 'Good' Programs
Democratic leaders have said many of the proposed cuts in health care and education are "destructive" and have proposed "tightening" the budget by reducing administrative costs, renegotiating state contracts and tapping budget reserves. However, Republicans say that while health programs have "value," "even good programs" will need to be cut to balance the budget without raising taxes. Senate Majority Leader Jim King (R) said, "To come up with a billion dollars in cuts, you're going to have to go past flab and cut gristle and muscle and bone" (South Florida Sun-Sentinel, 11/27).