County may raise spending for health

Commissioners say the amount for care of the needy depends on state lawmakers' moves.

By LISA GREENE, Times Staff Writer
© St. Petersburg Times
published April 23, 2003

Pinellas County needs to spend more on health care for the poor next year, county officials said Tuesday.

The question is how much.

For months, local hospital leaders have been pressuring county commissioners to spend more on health care for the county's uninsured residents. The hospitals say they have been losing millions.

The county will spend $15.6-million for the uninsured this year, mostly on a managed care plan for the poor that serves about 2,800 people each month. It helps only a fraction of the estimated 123,000 county residents without insurance.

By contrast, Hillsborough County spends about $86.5-million a year funded by a half-cent sales tax set aside for health care.

County Administrator Steve Spratt told commissioners Tuesday he wants to increase the health care spending in next year's budget.

"I want to try to make some significant increases in funding to this area," Spratt said. "I'm hoping to make a serious impact."

Most commissioners agreed, calling it a top goal.

"It is a No. 1 priority for me, and I think for the whole commission," Commissioner Susan Latvala said.

Karen Seel, commission chairwoman, said the county will likely see more uninsured residents.

"I truly believe our population is being pressed more and more by the economy and by the rise in insurance costs," she said.

Spratt said he's looking at three areas: spending more on preventive care, possibly through local health clinics; increasing payments to hospitals; and helping Bayflite, the air ambulance service.

But the big question remains: how much? The hospitals want the county to spend $10-million more, plus $640,000 for Bayflite. County officials didn't want to name a number Tuesday. They said they won't know how much they can do, or commit to an increase, until they know what costs state legislators pass along to them.

"It's going to become a sort of shake and bake at the end of the session," Commissioner Bob Stewart said.

Seel said $2-million more is her goal. Others are less sure. Commissioner Ken Welch called that figure "a start."

Stewart said $2-million is "probably inadequate. But whether we can afford that, or afford more, depends on some crafty budget composition."

The hospitals need to lobby state legislators as well, Seel said.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright