Tallahassee, Fla. – The Florida Behavioral Health Association (FBHA) extends its deepest
thanks to the Florida Legislature for its historic funding of community mental health and
substance use disorder services in its FY 2023-2024 budget.
“The Florida Legislature has funded a much-needed Medicaid rate increase for behavioral
health services – which by far is the largest increase in decades. The 15% rate increase will.
enable FBHA’s more than 70 community mental health and substance use provider members,
which blanket the entire state, to help more Floridians. This investment will have an immediate
impact by allowing community providers to stabilize their workforce and increase access to
behavioral health care. The Legislature also enhanced funds for Florida’s central receiving
system, significantly strengthening and expanding the critical entry point for individuals and
families experiencing a crisis, by giving them 24/7 immediate access to life-saving care while
also linking them to ongoing services.
“The FBHA is profoundly grateful to Speaker of the House Paul Renner, Senate President
Kathleen Passidomo, and the Florida Legislature for its bold commitment to Florida’s system of
care and the providers who care for and heal individuals with mental health and substance use
disorders. We also want to extend our gratitude to Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady
Casey DeSantis for their continued focus on building resilient families and communities and we
are so fortunate to have such committed champions.
“The monumental increase in recurring funding will be transformative to the hundreds of
thousands of Floridians we serve each year in all 67 counties. These vital services are available
to Floridians who are uninsured, underinsured, and Medicaid eligible – today families across
the state are breathing a sigh of relief.”