Proposed Medicaid cuts could impact Florida Hospitals and vulnerable communities
- Ask Medicaid Florida
- Jul 20, 2025
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 9, 2025
Florida's health care workers and advocates are sounding the alarm over Medicaid cuts in President Trump's tax and spending bill, arguing millions of residents could lose access to care in an already underfunded system.
Medicaid proposed cuts
Why it matters: Advocates warn that cutting funding will compel healthcare providers to scale back or eliminate essential services. This could lead to longer travel times for rural families seeking care and higher overall costs.
The broader context: The bill, signed into law by Trump on Friday, includes three major Medicaid changes that are raising concerns among medical professionals.
Providers say adding work requirements for some recipients and conducting eligibility checks twice a year (instead of once) could lead to accidental coverage losses, starting Dec. 31, 2026.
Additionally, hospitals are set to lose key Medicaid payments they depend on for funding, starting in 2028.
State of play: The phase-down effects of national cuts could cost the Sunshine State about $4 billion annually in Medicaid support, the Florida Health Justice Project projected.
Trump’s Medicaid reductions may put Florida Hospitals and at-risk residents in Jeopardy
By the numbers: State data shows that, in 2024, Medicaid provided health coverage to approximately 4.3 million Floridians, representing nearly one in five residents.
According to the Health Justice Project, 77% of Florida’s Medicaid recipients are children, seniors over 65, and individuals with disabilities.
As of January, nearly one in four rural hospitals in the state faced the risk of closure—many of which rely heavily on Medicaid as a key revenue source.
Medicaid also supports more than 700,000 seniors in Florida, and approximately 62% of the state’s nursing homes depend on it for funding.
What they're saying: The cuts are "not an accounting tactic" but an "extreme blow" to a system that is relied on by about one in five Florida residents, Mary C. Mayhew, president and CEO of the Florida Hospital Association, wrote prior to the bill's passing.
Florida already ranks near the bottom in per capita Medicaid spending," she noted. "There’s no excess to cut—no fat, no bloat, no waste to reduce.
The other side: Sen. Gayle Harrell, R-Stuart, told the Palm Beach Post this week she doesn't expect the cuts to have such an impact on Florida compared to other places because the state didn't expand its Medicaid program.
She also highlighted the state’s newly approved budget, which allocates funding for health clinics, rural communities, and nursing homes.
Conclusion
Florida’s Medicaid program is a lifeline for millions, including children, seniors, people with disabilities, and rural communities. Proposed budget cuts threaten to undermine critical services, jeopardize hospital operations, and increase health disparities across the state. With over 4 million Floridians depending on Medicaid, any reduction in funding could have devastating effects—especially in areas already struggling with limited access to care. As rural hospitals face closures and nursing homes rely heavily on Medicaid support, the consequences of these cuts extend far beyond numbers. Protecting Medicaid funding is essential to maintaining Florida’s healthcare safety net and ensuring care for its most vulnerable residents.
Other stories
What to know about Florida's planned "Alligator Alcatraz"
In less than a week's time, a proposal to build an immigration detention center on an airstrip in the Everglades went from a controversial idea to getting the green light from the federal government.
Why it matters: The facility will have lasting environmental impacts on a stretch of wilderness that's vital to Florida's ecosystem and is set to cost the state about $450 million a year, the Miami Herald reported. Read entire story here.
Inside Alligator Alcatraz: Report documents grim conditions for detainees
This week, the Miami Herald offered the first glimpse into the conditions inside Alligator Alcatraz, the immigration detention center in the heart of the Everglades.
Why it matters: Accounts from the facility, which began accepting detainees July 2, one day after President Trump toured the grounds, portray a grim environment for the detainees being kept there. Read full story here.
About the Author
Ask Medicaid Florida is a trusted independent author focused on simplifying Medicaid news, policy updates, and healthcare resources for Florida residents. With a mission to make complex Medicaid issues understandable, Ask Medicaid Florida provides clear, factual, and timely insights that help readers stay informed and empowered. "You are valued, thank you for visiting our website".
Disclaimer
The information provided on this website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute advice for your Healthcare decisions or any other type of advice. All content, materials, and resources made available are solely for educational purposes and should not be relied upon for making Healthcare decisions. Ask Medicaid Florida makes no claims to be associated with any state agencies including Medicaid of Florida. Read full disclaimer.
Comments