POLICY AND POLITICS
Could property tax plan mean longer wait times, less access to hospital care?
A new study concludes that Florida public hospitals and health tax districts stand to lose $323 million if voters pass a property tax cut amendment in the November general election
Curt AndersonUSA TODAY NETWORK – Florida
Updated Aug. 31, 2026, 1:57 p.m. ET
- A new study finds Florida public hospitals could lose $323 million if a property tax amendment passes.
- Amendment 3 would raise the homestead property tax exemption, reducing revenue for local governments.
- The lost tax revenue is primarily used to fund healthcare for uninsured and underinsured residents.
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
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 new study by theFlorida Policy Institute, a nonpartisan, nonprofit research and advocacy organization, concludes that 28 public hospitals or health taxing districts would take severe 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 revenue 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 CEO of FPI
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 non-homestead properties, such as commercial buildings and rental properties
When fully implemented, astate estimate shows local governments across Florida could lose about $12 billion in tax revenue
“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 FPI policy analyst who authored the study
Potential losses Florida public hospitals and health districts could face
Here are potential losses the study indicates:
- Jackson Health System, Miami: $63.7 million. Jackson does not levy its own property tax but relies on revenue from the city.
- North Broward Health District: $100.4 million.
- Healthcare District of Palm Beach County: $66.5 million.
- West Volusia Hospital Authority: $11.3 million.
- Sarasota County Public Hospital District: $43.4 million.
- Indian River County Hospital District: $8.8 million
- Halifax Hospital Taxing District: $9.9 million.
- Baker County Hospital Authority: $1 million.
Study predicts numerous healthcare 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
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 newsletter, Florida TODAY athttps://tallahassee.com/newsletters
