Tallahassee, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis recently announced the 2026-27 Floridians First Budget, a $4.1 billion plan aimed at improving health care access, services, and innovation across the state.
State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph A. Ladapo highlighted that the budget underscores Florida’s commitment to advancing public health, critical care, and emergency medical services. “The Floridians First Budget ensures Florida will continue to lead in health innovation and provide comprehensive public health care options for all communities,” Dr. Ladapo said.
Key allocations in the budget include:
- $277.5 million for cancer research: This includes $80 million for the Cancer Connect Collaborative Research Incubator targeting pediatric cancers, $127.5 million for National Cancer Institute sites in Florida, $60 million from the Florida Cancer Innovation Fund, and $10 million to launch the Casey DeSantis Cancer Innovation, Care, and Research Program.
- $14.6 million for prehospital blood systems: The funding establishes the nation’s first statewide system to provide whole blood and frozen plasma on ambulances and emergency response vehicles.
- $6.6 million for Electronic Health Record integration: The investment will implement a new system across county health departments, combining patient records with practice management functions for a comprehensive statewide solution.
- $5 million to support “Make America Healthy Again” initiatives: This program expands testing for contaminants in food and household products, including heavy metals, bacteria, pesticides, and microplastics.
These investments aim to strengthen Florida’s integrated public health system, enhance emergency response capabilities, and ensure residents have access to innovative and safe health care solutions.
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