Florida Governor: Who Needs Public Hospitals?

In Palm Beach County, the healthcare tax district pays for care for the poor and uninsured at whichever local hospitals they use. A health plan provides primary care for some.

In Hillsborough County, Tampa General Hospital converted from government ownership to a nonprofit. Tax dollars cover insurance for county residents unable to get regular coverage, who then go to any local hospitals, including for-profits.

But in places like Miami-Dade and Broward, the tax dollars go only to the government hospitals. Other hospitals that treat the uninsured don’t get tax money. Instead, they frequently pass along the cost to patients who do have insurance.

Print