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For Release Thursday,
6th June, 2002 |
CONTACT:
Bill Parizek |
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PHONE:850-245-4111
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Tallahassee – The 2002-03 state budget signed today by Governor Bush reflects his commitment to public health, and will allow the Department of Health (DOH) to expand access to primary care throughout Florida, according to Florida’s top health official.
“Thanks to the efforts of Governor Bush and the Florida Legislature, we will continue our efforts in providing critical public health functions, including HIV/AIDS education and treatment, addressing health disparities, and serving children with chronic health conditions,” said Florida Department of Health Secretary John O. Agwunobi, M.D., M.B.A. “This budget also provides us with the resources needed to continue our successful anti-tobacco program.”
Under Governor Bush, the Department of Health’s budget allocation has steadily increased each year, from $1.73 billion in FY ‘99-‘00 to over $2.06 billion for this current fiscal year. The recently completed $2.1 billion budget for FY ’02-’03 includes: $39.1 million for tobacco use reduction; $9.1 million to provide drugs for AIDS patients; $3.5 million for abstinence education; and $4.7 million for Community Health Centers.
Agwunobi also praised the following legislation:
- Shaken Baby Syndrome (CS/SB 1766) – This legislation helps protect the most vulnerable Floridians by requiring DOH to prepare a brochure for hospitals, birth centers and home birth providers to give to new parents regarding the
dangers of shaking infants and how to cope with a crying baby.
- Nursing Shortage Solution Act (CS/CS/CS/HB 519) – This legislation simplifies and improves the process by which nurses from other states and territories become licensed in Florida, and makes scholarship assistance for nursing students more accessible.
- Florida Center for Nursing (SB 1808) – This legislation creates a Florida Center for Nursing, which will be funded with voluntary contributions from nurses when they apply for nursing licenses. The Center is charged with developing strategies to increase the supply of nurses and improve retention.
- Florida Health and Human Services Access (CS/SB 1276) – This legislation will improve access to health and human services by simplifying eligibility, making information about services readily available, and improving case management. The first phase will be a pilot project implemented by the Agency for Health Care Administration.
- Newborn Infant Screening (CS/CS/HB 817) – This legislation establishes a Task Force in the Children’s Medical Services Program to make recommendations regarding newborn infant screening requirements. Florida currently requires newborns to be screened for 5 metabolic disorders.
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