The $9.7-million cut in state funding for Shands at UF, which was approved by Gov. Charlie Crist on Friday, will likely adversely affect Florida's under- and uninsured patients, according to a Shands press release.
"Elimination of this critical revenue source for Shands at UF was totally unexpected," said Shands HealthCare CEO Tim Goldfarb in the release. "It is vital to supporting our responsibility to care for Florida's most vulnerable and neediest residents."
Shands at UF will likely lose an additional $12 million in federal funding through the Medicaid match program, according to the release.
A safety-net hospital provides care to low-income, uninsured or vulnerable populations, according to the National Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems' website.
As one of 14 safety-net hospitals in the state, Shands "is among the largest Medicaid and charity care providers in Florida and we have a strong sense of commitment to serve those with little or no insurance," Goldfarb said.
