Approved Budget Heralds Promise For Jackson Health

MIAMI (CBSMiami) — Good news for Jackson Health System is great news for South Floridians who require hospital care: Jackson approved a $1.6 billion budget Thursday.

In a news release, Jackson calls the 2012-13 budget "realistic". The budget includes a $35 million surplus for the fiscal year, which ends September 30.

The budget announcement comes after five consecutive months of the hospital system operating with a surplus.

The seven-member Public Health Trust Financial Recovery Board approved the 2012-13 budget unanimously. The budget will head to the Miami-Dade County Board of County Commissioners for consideration in September.

The troubled hospital system has struggled financially over recent years, with losses in the hundreds of millions of dollars, including $81 million last year.

Carlos Migova, president and CEO of Jackson Health System, said in the news release that "We have to thank all of the Jackson team for their hard work and sacrifices that were made this year, which have made our aggressive plans to grow services next year possible."

According to the news release, Jackson has big plans for the surplus.

The hospital system plans to improve its facilities, pay vendors faster and recruit more community physicians to bring patients to Jackson.

Specifically, at Jackson North Medical Center, Jackson intends to build up the Special Care Unit. At Jackson South, plans include expanding surgery and cardiac service plus improving efficiency of emergency rooms and clinics.