$85 Million in State Funding Will Help Ensure All Children Can Continue to Access
the World-Class, Specialized Pediatric Care They Need
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (June 30, 2022) – Recently, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the 2022-2023 state budget into law, which includes $85 million for Florida’s four non-profit specialty-licensed children’s hospitals: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. The new state budget is effective on July 1, 2022.
One in four Florida children will receive treatment at one of the state’s children’s hospitals, which are specialty-licensed, uniquely designated and solely focused on providing specialty care for children. These hospitals treat children with the most complex and critical illnesses and injuries while ensuring that all children can access this care regardless of their needs or socioeconomic status.
Medicaid represents 52-74 percent of the patients treated at Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children, comprised of the four hospitals in the state with the highest Medicaid utilization rates. Collectively, the Medicaid shortfall facing these hospitals exceeds $140 million annually.
This funding provides significant support in helping ensure that all children can continue to access this critical, specialized pediatric treatment.
Joint Statement from Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children:
“Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children thank Governor DeSantis and the Florida Legislature for investing in the health and well-being of children in Florida. This funding will help ensure that every child can continue to access the world-class, specialized care they need.
Supporting children’s health is not only the right thing to do, but it also makes a significant impact on the future of our state and its economic vitality. Our hospitals invest in research, training, and programs that drive the future of children’s health and build a workforce of highly skilled professionals throughout our robust teaching hospitals.”
###
About Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children
As the only four children’s hospitals separately licensed, uniquely designated and solely focused to provide specialized care for children, Florida’s Specialty Hospitals for Children are driving the health and well-being of children throughout Florida. One in four children will be treated at one of Florida’s four specialty children’s hospitals, which include Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg, Nemours Children’s Hospital in Orlando, Nicklaus Children’s Hospital in Miami, and Wolfson Children’s Hospital in Jacksonville. These four hospitals have the highest Medicaid utilization rates in the state and are often the only option for care for their patients, who have the most complex and critical illnesses and injuries.
Contact:
Liz Underwood, PR Counsel
850.224.0174