BayCare will receive more than $8.35 million through Florida’s 2026-27 state budget to expand specialized healthcare services across West Central Florida, including a neonatal intensive care unit at its planned BayCare Hospital Manatee, behavioral health services in Pasco County and chronic care programs at St. Joseph’s Hospital.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the state budget June 29, approving funding for three BayCare initiatives championed by Tampa Bay-area lawmakers.
The budget includes $2.5 million to support a neonatal intensive care unit at BayCare Hospital Manatee, the health system’s first hospital in Manatee County, which is scheduled to open in 2028. BayCare said the NICU is expected to more than double the county’s neonatal intensive care capacity, allowing more newborns requiring intensive care to receive treatment closer to home.
The appropriation was sponsored by Senate President-Designate Jim Boyd, R-Bradenton, and Rep. Will Robinson, R-Bradenton.
The largest appropriation, $4.65 million, will support operations at the Pasco County Central Receiving Facility, a behavioral health center that opened in 2025 as the county’s first centralized access point for people experiencing mental health or substance use crises. BayCare Behavioral Health operates the facility as part of a coordinated network designed to connect patients with treatment more quickly.
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The budget also includes $1.2 million for the Daniel J. Plasencia, MD Children’s Chronic Complex Clinic and the Adult Chronic Complex Clinic at St. Joseph’s Hospital. The clinics coordinate care for children and adults with complex medical conditions, helping patients access specialty care while reducing hospitalizations.
The Pasco County appropriation was sponsored by Sen. Ed Hooper, R-Clearwater, and Rep. Brad Yeager, R-New Port Richey, while funding for the chronic care clinics was sponsored by Sen. Danny Burgess, R-Zephyrhills, and Rep. Traci Koster, R-Tampa.
“These investments ensure our neighbors can receive the services they need at critical moments,” BayCare President and CEO Stephanie Conners said in a statement. “We appreciate the support of our state leaders in helping meet growing health care needs across West Central Florida.”
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