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Charlotte County adopts hospital assessment resolution to sustain uncompensated care funding
Summary
The board adopted a resolution authorizing assessments that hospitals use to generate state and federal matching funds for uncompensated care. Hospital executives and community members spoke in support during the public hearing.
Charlotte County commissioners on June 24 adopted a resolution that permits participating hospitals in the county to impose assessments used in a state-federal matching program to reimburse hospitals for uncompensated care.
Adam Johnson, president and CEO of AdventHealth Port Charlotte, told the board the program “generates critically needed funds to support hospitals in Charlotte County” and thanked commissioners for prior support. Michael Eritt, CEO of HCA Florida Fawcett Hospital, also told the board the hospitals supported the resolution.
Commissioner Chris Constance summarized the computation language in the resolution on the record: the assessment “shall equal a quarter percent of the gross inpatient revenue and 0.94% of the gross outpatient revenue for each assessed property,” language consistent with the resolution materials presented to the board. Staff explained the local assessment collection is forwarded to the state (Agency for Health Care Administration) and then funds are matched and returned to hospitals to support uncompensated care.
During public comment several residents and hospital leaders urged approval; the board adopted the resolution unanimously after closing the public hearing. Commissioners said passage does not impose county taxes but enables hospitals to participate in the state matching process that amplifies local funds to cover uncompensated care.
What happens next: the county will process the resolution and notify assessed hospitals and AHCA per the administrative process; participating hospitals will continue to compile and submit required financial information to the state to trigger matching funds.
