Weekly Update | Feb 3-7, 2025 | Committee Week

News from the Top

On Sunday, February 2, Governor Ron DeSantis released his Proposed Legislative Budget for Fiscal Year (FY) 25-26. Florida statute requires that the budget be released 30 days prior to the upcoming session. This annual proposal sets the stage for building the budget for each session. Although the legislature has grown the Governor’s budget requests by over $70 million over the past six years, we do not anticipate that continuing during this upcoming session.

The Governor’s Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget for FY 2025-2026 totals $115.6 billion, more than $3 billion less than the current year budget. Behavioral health is mentioned in the Governor’s proposed budget highlights with an increase for the state mental health treatment facilities and an increase for community forensic residential step-down beds.

Focus on Fiscal Responsibility Budget

Makin' Moves

Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez is expected to resign and leave her office. She will take the helm as President of Florida International University (FIU). Who is on deck? We are not quite sure as talk about her potential replacements has been hush-hush.

After months of speculation, the Governor’s Office announced his new Chief of Staff this week. Jason Weida, secretary of AHCA, will begin his new job as Governor DeSantis’ chief of staff, effective immediately. We know your next question… and we do not have the answer…. but for now, AHCA is in good hands with the current chief of staff, Stefan Grow, and deputy secretary for Medicaid, Brian Meyer.

Short and Sweet

Another short and sweet committee week was held in Tallahassee this week. Legislators were only here for meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

The House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, chaired by Representative Alex Andrade, spent the entire meeting asking questions of the panel regarding barriers to care, sustainability of the system of care, payor and payee hardships and relationships, details of the FY 2024-25 budget and how funds were being spent and utilized at the provider level, including the funds tied to HB 7021.

The panel included:

Mike Watkins of Northwest Florida Health Network
Ann Berner of Southeast Florida Behavioral Health Network
Candace Barnes of Peace River Center
Melissa Larkin-Skinner of Community Assisted and Supported Living
AHCA Deputy Secretary of Medicaid Brian Meyer
DCF Assistant Secretary of Mental Health and Substance Use Erica Floyd-Thomas

On the other side of the Capitol, the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice heard updates on the current year’s budget regarding the state’s court initiatives. FBHA President and CEO Melanie Brown-Woofter gave a performance measurement update on Medication-Assisted Treatment.

Watch the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee

Watch the Senate Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice

Let's Eat!

We look forward to hosting members at the Annual Legislative BBQ next Tuesday, February 11 from 5:30 - 8 p.m. at 316 E. Park Avenue. Please consider personally inviting your local legislative delegation by sharing our invitation with them. It is never a bad idea to reach out directly, reminding them that they are important to your organization, and who does not like a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere and BBQ to have those conversations!

Download the Invite Here

On Deck

Next week, the House of Representatives will meet in newly formed combined workgroups to review and discuss last session’s vetoed special projects and line items vetoes. The Speaker of the House sent a memo laying out the process and the interest in overriding those vetoes. These workgroups are authorized to meet starting Monday, February 10, for up to 10 days, following a budget conference-style schedule. Once their work is complete, each group will submit recommendations for further legislative action to their subcommittee chairs, the originating committee chair, and the Speaker of the House. There may be a potential opportunity for a veto override.

The health care workgroup will meet Monday, February 10 at 8 a.m. Legislative members include Representatives Redondo (Chair), Cassell, Tant, Trabulsy, Tuck, Eskamani, Gonzalez - Pittman, Miller, Partington, and Chamberlain.

Read the Memo

Remind Me

A few legislative reminders:

The FBHA Membership/Board Meeting and Annual Legislative BBQ is scheduled for February 11, 2025, in Tallahassee.
Behavioral Health Day 2025 at the Florida Historic Capitol Museum is scheduled for February 12, 2025, at 10 a.m.
Don’t forget to sign up for the virtual walk! You can pledge your walk by using this link here .
Special projects forms are due in the House no later than February 14, 2025.