Jackson could lose big chunk of funding if property-tax plan passes, report says

A new report from the Florida Policy Institute finds Amendment 3 could put hundreds of millions of dollars in public hospital funding at risk.

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FPI estimates Florida’s public-hospital districts and health systems could lose$323 million over the next three years if voters approve the proposed constitutional amendment in November.

The ballot proposal would raise Florida’s homestead exemption to $150,000 in 2027 and to $250,000 in 2028 — and could eventually eliminate non-school property taxes on homesteads.

According to FPI’s report, Jackson Health System in Miami-Dade County could lose an estimated $63.7 million in property-tax revenue.

The North Broward Hospital District could lose more than $100 million in property-tax revenue, while the South Broward Hospital District could lose about $2.2 million.

The Healthcare District of Palm Beach County would lose $66.5 million in property-tax revenue..

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FPI says the losses could mean less access to care, longer wait times, fewer staff and reduced funding for programs serving uninsured and low-income Floridians.

“Our South Florida healthcare systems are already under enormous strain from federal cuts to Medicaid and the ACA Marketplace,” said Dr. Olveen Carrasquillo, of Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, in a press release.

“Another major financial hit like Amendment 3 would be untenable for my patients and our community.”

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This report was produced by Miami Herald news partner WLRN Public Media.