General Appropriations Act 2025-2026 SB 2500 – General Appropriations Act 2025-2026, and SB 2502 – Implementing the 2025-2026 General Appropriations Act, by Senate Appropriations Committee. Once signed by the Governor these bills will be effective July 1, 2025. The Florida Legislature passed a $115.1 billion budget for the 2025–2026 fiscal year, reflecting a decrease of approximately $1.4 billion from the 2024–2025 budget. Governor Ron DeSantis signed a version totaling $117.4 billion after issuing $567 million in line-item vetoes. His office attributed the difference in totals to a different accounting method, which included unspent funds from the previous fiscal year. The budget also maintains $15.7 billion in reserves. Significant Provisions from the General Appropriations Act Include: Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) HCBS provides support to older adults and individuals with disabilities to help them receive services within their own homes and communities, instead of within institutionalized facility care settings. HCBS helps individuals maintain independence while receiving assistance with activities of daily living. HCBS includes services such as Alzheimer’s Respite Care, Community Care for the Elderly and Home Care for the Elderly. As of May 2025, HCBS has a waitlist of more than 190,000 elderly and vulnerable Floridians. Community Care for the Elderly (CCE) CCE, a non-Medicaid program, will receive an increase of $7 million ($4 million recurring; $3 million non-recurring) in funding. CCE provides essential in-home care services such as personal care, home-delivered meals, homemaker services, transportation, companion care, and respite care for caregivers to functionally impaired adults aged 60 and older, who do not qualify for Medicaid. As of May 2025, CCE has a waitlist of more than 67,000 Floridians. Home Care for the Elderly (HCE) HCE will receive an increase of $3.5 million (recurring) in funding. HCE serves seniors who are at risk of being placed in nursing home care, live at home with a caregiver who meets Institutional Care Program (ICP) eligibility standards and asset limitations. Caregivers receive a basic monthly subsidy to be used for the support and maintenance of older adults, including some medical costs. A special subsidy may be provided for personal care services, incontinence products, and nutritional supplies. As of May 2025, HCE has a waitlist of nearly 20,000 Floridians. Alzheimer’s Disease Initiative (ADI) ADI services receive an increase of $3 million (non-recurring) in funding. ADI provides services to individuals with Alzheimer’s disease or similar memory disorders, as well as to their families. ADI respite care services include in-home care, adult day care, emergency and extended care. ADI also provides other supportive services to caregivers that include case management, specialized medical equipment and supplies, counseling and support groups, and caregiver training. As of May 2025, ADI has a waitlist of approximately 16,000 Floridians. Program for All-Inclusive Care of the Elderly (PACE) PACE organizations provide primary care and social, restorative, and supportive services for Medicaid- and Medicare eligible individuals aged 55-plus who live in PACE services areas. PACE provides flexibility to families, caregivers, and professional health care providers to meet clients’ medical and long-term care needs. The following budget allocations were made: - PACE programs that are established and operated for the last 10 years will receive $12, 161,134 for program support.
- Lee County will receive $2,271,615 for 50 new slots. - Polk County will receive $2,363,475 for 200 new slots.
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