North Lake County Hospital District tax

[Allegiance]

What is this concensus of other Lake county residents?

Keep tax?

[njbchbum]

What is this concensus of other Lake county residents?

Keep tax?

Do you have a source where one can read about the option to keep the tax or not keep it?

[Allegiance]

Readers: Abolish hospital district - Orlando Sentinel (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/lake/os-lk-lauren-ritchie-hospital-tax-response-20160211-column.html)

Fiscal Rangers: North Lake County Hospital District (http://www.fiscalrangers.com/north-lake-county-hospital-district/)

NORTH LAKE COUNTY HOSPITAL DISTRICT

KEEP IT WORKING FOR YOU!

The Coalition for a Healthy Lake County supports the

continuation of the North Lake County Hospital

District. We are committed to improving the health

and wellness of our entire community, and with

that commitment there is a cost to provide care

to the poor and uninsured. Hospital District

support helps offset a small portion of the

costs incurred by hospitals to provide this care.

EFFECTIVE. ACCOUNTABLE. EFFICIENT

What is the North Lake County Hospital District?

The North Lake County Hospital District was established by the Florida Legislature

more than 60 years ago to help ensure all residents of North Lake County have

access to quality healthcare close to home by reimbursing hospitals and clinics for

some of the costs associated with providing care to the poor and uninsured our

community.

How Does the North Lake County Hospital District Work?

Funds are collected through a property tax millage rate of up to $1 per $1,000 value

on property located within the boundaries of the North Lake County Hospital

District. The millage rate is set each year based on need established by the North

Lake Hospital District Board of Trustees, whom are elected by Lake County voters.

Funds are then distributed to agencies in North Lake County to reimburse some of

the costs associated with providing care to qualified residents.

How Much Does the Tax Cost the Average Homeowner?

Assessments collected through the North Lake County Hospital District are based

on the property’s assessed value after deductions, such as the Homestead

Exemption. Based on average property values in Lake County, the typical

homeowner pays less than $10 a month.



Why is it Still Needed? Didn’t the Affordable Care Act Make Insurance

Mandatory for Everyone?

Unlike many states in the nation, Florida Legislature has not expanded Medicaid

coverage for residents. Today, 22% of Lake County residents remained uninsured.

35% live below 200% of the federal poverty level, and more than 5% are

unemployed. Without access to clinical and mental health services funded through

the North Lake Hospital District, especially primary care services, these residents

would likely have to rely solely on healthcare services accessed through our

community’s Emergency Rooms at a much higher expense for everyone in our

community.

Who Does it Help?

The North Lake County Hospital Tax District helps all North Lake County residents

by not only helping to cover the cost of care for low income patients, but helping to

lower overall healthcare costs for all residents by giving qualified residents

opportunities to access primary care through free clinics and agencies other than

just hospital emergency rooms, where it is typically much more expensive to

provide care, and results in higher costs for everyone in our community.

Establishment of medical homes for these individuals also helps with chronic

disease, such as diabetes and heart disease, helping to lower healthcare costs while

also improving the overall health status of our community.

What Services Qualify for Reimbursement?

Funds collected and distributed through the North Lake County Hospital District are

used to reimburse hospitals and medical clinics for care they provide to qualified

residents. To qualify, patients must be residents of North Lake County, be living at

or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and not have health insurance.

Agencies that qualify to receive reimbursement through the district must provide

specific documentation and record of the care they provided to eligible residents,

and are subject to audit by the North Lake County Hospital District Board of

Trustees. These services include emergency care, hospitalization, mental health

services and primary care provided through multiple free clinics located in the

District.

Is This a New Tax?

No. In November, registered voters will be voting to renew the North Lake County

Hospital District established more than 60 years ago. If voters renew the District in

November, it will continue for 10 years unless there is no longer a need to fund

indigent care in our community.

As Not-For-Profit Agencies Why Do Our Hospitals and Clinics Need

Financial Support Through the North Lake County Hospital District?

Our community’s hospital serve as a safety-net for healthcare in our community –

meaning they must provide emergency care to all people regardless of their ability

to pay. Funds reimbursed to hospitals and other agencies throughout the county

help to cover some of this care. As not-for-profit community hospitals, Florida

Hospital Waterman and Leesburg Regional Medical Center reinvest any profits back

into our community through new technology, training and expanded services.

Discontinuation of the North Lake Hospital District will mean our hospitals will have

less financial resources to help ensure all members of our community have access

to quality healthcare services close to home.

Why does the Coalition For A Healthy Lake County Support the

Renewal of the North Lake Hospital District?

The Coalition supports the continuation of the North Lake Hospital District. We are

committed to improving the health and wellness of our entire community, and with

that commitment there is a cost associated with providing care to the poor and

uninsured. The District support helps to offset a small portion of the costs incurred

by hospitals to provide this care, which serve as a safety net for our community’s

health. Funds from the District have enabled the continuation and expansion of

primary care clinics for our indigent residents. The clinics are able to provide care at

a much lower cost than a hospital emergency room, help to stabilize the disease

process for many patients, and provide preventative care and education to help

improve the overall health of our community. Without access to these services,

some residents would have to rely solely on accessing care though our community's

emergency rooms at a much higher expense for all residents.

Vote on Nov 8



Above copied from their website.


I am voting no!!!!

[Allegiance]

Imo, Medicaid already overpays to treat the poor, these hospitals are not true non for profits.

Vote no! I don't need to pay over $100 a year on each house.

[Allegiance]

It's sad, the villages residents I talked with, in Lake County, had no idea about this tax vote.

I wonder how it will be worded on the ballot.

[Allegiance]

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