Florida's Lake County lawmakers have endorsed a proposal that would cut property tax proceeds paid to Florida Hospital Waterman in Tavares and Leesburg (Fla.) Regional Medical Center, according to an Orlando Sentinel report.
If the bill becomes law, voters in the county would decide if property owners should still pay the tax, which the hospitals argue covers the costs of indigent care, according to the report.
Supporters of the bill and critics of the tax — which was $10 million cumulatively last year — say the money could be used for a variety of hospital expenses, such as renovations and executive salaries, and the bill would curb the "no strings attached" payments.
The two hospitals have argued that the bill would increase administrative costs, and it would also burden the poor and uninsured who need the care, according to the report.
If the bill becomes law, voters in the county would decide if property owners should still pay the tax, which the hospitals argue covers the costs of indigent care, according to the report.
Supporters of the bill and critics of the tax — which was $10 million cumulatively last year — say the money could be used for a variety of hospital expenses, such as renovations and executive salaries, and the bill would curb the "no strings attached" payments.
The two hospitals have argued that the bill would increase administrative costs, and it would also burden the poor and uninsured who need the care, according to the report.
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