Long-Term Care in Florida

Florida has the largest proportion of elderly in the nation- 2.8 million persons are over age 65, representing 17.6% of its total population. The dramatic rise in the number of persons age 65 and over in Florida over the next 20 years-estimated to total 26.3% of total population-will further stretch the already limited resources of the state. Aware of the pressing demand for long-term care services well into the 21 * century, policymakers in Florida have begun seriously to review options for improving financing and delivery of long-term care for the frail elderly and persons with disabilities. Federal and state Medicaid spending in Florida was $2.6 billion in FY2001, and 30.5% of Medicaid spending was for long-term care. In FY2001, 75.3% of total Medicaid spending was for institutional care. Slightly less than 25% of Medicaid spending was channeled towards home and community-based services. Although institutional care dominated Medicaid spending, there has been slow but steady expansion of home and community-based services funding, both through the use of Medicaid''s waiver programs as well as significant support through state sources. Among the major issues facing long-term care in Florida are: the fragmentation of long-term care services among state and local agencies, an imbalance in financing that favors institutional care rather than home and community based care, shortage of health care workers and well-trained staff throughout the long-term care , and disparities in availability of services across the state.