State Legislative Issues
FQHCs in Florida will again receive Low Income Pool funds at the same amount as last year. The language from the budget provides that funds in Specific Appropriation 213, $6,594,759 from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund and $8,681,496 from the Medical Care Trust Fund are provided to make Medicaid low-income pool payments to Federally Qualified Health Centers.
FQHCs in Florida will again receive expansion grant funds at the same level. The language from the budget provides that funds in Specific Appropriation 666, $1,820,580 of General Revenue, $4,158,110 from the Federal Grants Trust Fund, and $1,570,580 from the Grants and Donations Trust Fund are provided to Federally Qualified Health Centers for the existing expansion grant program. The caveat remains in place for the federally qualified community health centers shall be required to provide local matching funds in an amount equal to the state amount.
Florida will have a Special Session with regard to revising the 2007-08 state budget. Florida has experienced a somewhat tighter financial year than originally expected. The Legislature did have a Special Session scheduled to begin on September 18, 2007, but that has been delayed until a later date. At this point in time, FACHC believes proposed changes to the health care budget will not affect FQHCs. The proposed revisions from the Governor, the Agency for Health Care Administration and the Department of Health have not included FQHC budget issues.
Budget Reductions of 2007 Special Session C (pdf)