Florida university board approves budget request
TAMPA (AP) – The board that oversees Florida’s state universities approved a $3.6 billion budget request for the next school year at its meeting on Thursday, an increase of nearly 6 percent that would help boost public medical schools.
The Board of Governors’ legislative budget request would increase spending by $370 million, including $160 million in stimulus funds. The added funds would go toward finishing two new medical schools, supporting existing enrollment at two others, and other operational costs, board spokesman Bill Edmonds said. The University of Central Florida and Florida International University both opened medical schools this year.
The funding increase comes as the state looks for ways to retain more of Florida’s medical students by creating additional residencies.
According to a report presented at the board’s meeting, Florida ranks ninth nationwide in the number of residency programs. However, it places 46th in terms of the number of residency positions per 100,000 population. An estimated 2,700 more positions are needed.
In 2008, 61.7 percent of Florida medical school graduates left the state.
Residency programs are sponsored by various medical related institutions including private hospitals, universities, the VA and other health care providers. The report concludes that the state’s newest medical schools will have to be aggressive and creative to ensure new residency positions for their graduates.
“Without those residency position, the likelihood is great that Florida’s bold investment in medical education will not maximize its returns,” the paper notes.
The budget request will be submitted to the Legislature and Gov. Charlie Crist in October. The state is bracing for another tight year, with the Legislative Budget Commission anticipating potential deficits in each of the next three budget years.