A Look at How Florida Allocated Health Funds in 2024

As 2024 draws to a close, the Florida Department of Health (FDOH) has provided a year-end overview of its activities, including updates on funding, health care programs, and strategies in public health, under the leadership of Governor Ron DeSantis. The department’s report highlights areas of focus such as cancer research, medical workforce expansion, disaster response, and transparency regarding COVID-19 vaccination guidelines.

State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo noted that FDOH’s actions this year have reinforced public health infrastructure and enhanced health care accessibility through various funding initiatives. These included a notable increase in cancer research investments and initiatives aimed at improving the health care workforce across Florida.

One significant development was the launch of the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, which saw a historic $60 million allocation from the 2024 Legislature. This fund, alongside a $127.5 million commitment to the Casey DeSantis Cancer Research Program, aims to support cancer research and treatment innovation. The Department also noted the creation of the Cancer Connect Collaborative, which seeks to address long-standing challenges in cancer research and treatment by promoting collaboration between health care institutions.

On the workforce front, the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) program has continued to expand, providing $16 million in student debt relief to over 1,100 health professionals. The program, which was broadened to include dentists in 2024, is intended to improve health care access in underserved regions of the state. The Health Care Innovation Revolving Loan Program, created in the 2024 Legislative Session, is designed to address workforce shortages and rising health care costs by offering low-interest loans to foster innovation in health service delivery.

The department also focused on disaster preparedness, noting its significant role in supporting hurricane response efforts in 2024, including the deployment of mobile medical units and resources for evacuations.

In addition to these funding initiatives, FDOH continues to monitor health care trends, including efforts to streamline licensing processes for medical professionals. The Department reported a steady increase in health care license applications, with over 123,000 new providers licensed in the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

The Florida Department of Health’s 2024 report also included updates on ongoing public health programs, such as the Telehealth Maternity Care Program, which served over 6,400 women across 16 counties, and the launch of Willow, an AI virtual assistant designed to assist with the Florida Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program.
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The full report can be found here.