FL budget negotiators plan $350M in cuts for hospitals

Hospitals and nursing homes are targeted to lose about $350 million in funding as House and Senate negotiators worked tonight toward completing a $70 billion state budget. The 5.6 percent Medicaid rate cut for hospitals and 1.25 percent reduction for nursing homes frees cash which helps bolster a $1 billion increase in dollars for public schools that budget-writers have already agreed will be a central part of spending this election year. The Legislature is scheduled to end the 2012 session Friday. But a constitutionally required 72-hour waiting period means lawmakers are eager to finish work Monday night.