Florida public hospitals and health care districts could lose $323 million over three years if voters approve a constitutional amendment slashing property taxes, according to a new study.
Those cuts could mean less care, longer wait times and less money for programs that serve lower-income residents, the new study by theFlorida Policy Institute reports.
The Health Care District of Palm Beach County could lose about $66.5 million over three years, the study shows. The independent taxing district provides services such as the Trauma Hawk medical helicopter system; community health clinics; and Lakeside Medical Center in Belle Glade, the county's only public hospital.
The proposal, known as Amendment 3, will appear on the Nov. 3 general election ballot
and must get at least 60% of the vote to pass. The idea was pushed by Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, but the amendment passed by state lawmakers differs from his plan.
If it is enacted, the study by the institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and advocacy organization based in Orlando, concludes that 28 public hospitals or health-taxing districts would take significant financial hits.
Tax revenue generally goes to care for poor, uninsured
The tax revenue is generally used to pay for care for people who don’t have health insurance or are underinsured. Some public hospitals or districts could lose half their annual revenues with no plan to replace it.
“In a state where access to affordable health care is already a major issue, Amendment 3 would make it harder for hospitals to serve our communities and families, especially folks who are uninsured or underinsured,” said Sadaf Knight, the institute's CEO.
If it passes, the amendment would raise the current $50,000 property tax exemption for homesteaded properties — a Florida resident’s main home — to $150,000 next year and $250,000 in 2028. Money for school taxes would be left in place and a growth in tax assessments would be capped at a lower rate for nonhomestead properties, such as commercial buildings and rental properties.
A state estimate shows local governments across Florida could lose about $12 billion in tax revenue annually once the new system is fully in place.
“It’s important that Floridians understand the risks associated with adopting sweeping property tax cuts without first considering alternative solutions to the affordability crisis in our state,” said Erica Monet Li, an Florida Policy Institute policy analyst who authored the study.
Potential losses Florida and Palm Beach County public hospitals and health districts could face
Here are potential losses the study indicates:
- North Broward Health District: $100.4 million.
- Health Care District of Palm Beach County: $66.5 million.
- Jackson Health System, Miami: $63.7 million. Jackson does not levy its own property tax but relies on revenue from the city.
- Sarasota County Public Hospital District: $43.4 million.
- West Volusia Hospital Authority: $11.3 million.
- Halifax Hospital Taxing District: $9.9 million.
- Indian River County Hospital District: $8.8 million.
- Baker County Hospital Authority: $1 million.
Study predicts numerous health care issues with less revenue
The FPI study says the public health care losses would translate into less access to care, longer wait times, fewer staff and less money for programs that serve low-income Floridians.
A recent poll by Tallahassee-based Sachs Media that found 64% of registered voters would vote yes on Amendment 3, which woud be enough for it to pass. Other polls have shown varying amounts of support.
“As a doctor, I’m concerned about Amendment 3 because of the major impact it would have on the patients we provide care for,” said Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo of Miami, who noted that federal cuts to Medicaid and the Affordable Care Act already cause financial strain.
“Another major financial hit like Amendment 3 would be untenable for my patients and our community,” Carrasquillo said.
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Maya Washburn contributed to this story.
Curt Anderson is the Policy and Politics Reporter for The USA TODAY NETWORK-FLORIDA. You can get all of Florida’s best content directly in your inbox each weekday day by signing up for the free
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Could property tax plan mean less access to hospital care for county?
