Full Breakdown
Amendment 3 Could Cut More Than $100 Million From Broward’s Safety-Net Hospitals
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In this breakdown
01
Amendment 3 and Projected Hospital Funding Cuts
If Florida voters approve Amendment 3, the taxable value of a primary residence would be reduced by $150,000 in 2027 and an additional $250,000 in 2028. The measure will appear on the November ballot and is projected to lower property-tax revenue that currently supports Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, the two public safety-net hospitals serving the region.
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Video: Florida Amendment 3 could cost hospitals millions, report warns
02
Background on the Property-Tax Exemption
Amendment 3 seeks to expand the property-tax exemption for primary residences, lowering homeowners’ tax bills while decreasing the pool of funds available for public services. The proposal targets the North and South Broward Hospital Districts, which rely on local property taxes to subsidize care for patients regardless of ability to pay.
03
Financial Impact Estimates
The Florida Policy Institute, a nonprofit policy-research organization, estimates that Broward Health could lose $100.4 million in revenue over the next three years, while Memorial Healthcare System could see a $2.2 million reduction in the same period. The institute warns that such cuts could lengthen wait times, restrict access to care, and force hospitals to shift costs to insured patients.
04
Official Statements & Patient Concerns
Janna Lhota, board chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce, warned that the deduction would produce a 17 % reduction in total tax impact for the North Broward Hospital District and a 21.3 % impact for South Broward. She noted that hospitals must continue providing services despite the revenue loss, which could raise costs for other users of the system.
Long-time Broward Health patient Walter Rasor expressed alarm about potential service reductions. He said he lacks clear information on how hospitals would respond and plans to vote against the amendment. Both Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System declined to comment on specific service changes.
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Verbatim Quotes
- “So in year two, when it rises up to $250,000 as a deduction, the North Broward Hospital District is going to see a 17% reduction in total tax impact, with South Broward having a 21.3% impact,” — Janna Lhota, board chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
- “The fact that they still have to provide that service and are seeing that significant of a reduction, likely means that the other users of that system are going to see increased cost because, again, they still need to provide the service even if the revenue source is not there,” — Janna Lhota, board chair of the Greater Fort Lauderdale Chamber of Commerce
- “Services are supremely important, especially to us. We're elderly, we're in an elderly community,” — Rasor
- “We don't have enough information from the services themselves to say exactly what they're going to do if this goes through,” — Rasor