Broward County Commission Regular Meeting
Director's Name: Andrew J. Meyers
Department: County Attorney
Information
Requested Action
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MOTION TO ADOPT Resolution directing the County Administrator to publish Notice of Public Hearing to be held on May 7, 2024, at 10:00 a.m., in Room 422 of Governmental Center East to consider enactment of a proposed Ordinance, the title of which is as follows:
AN ORDINANCE OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF BROWARD COUNTY, FLORIDA, CREATING THE BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN ORDINANCE; CREATING ARTICLE VII OF CHAPTER 31½ OF THE BROWARD COUNTY CODE OF ORDINANCES (“CODE”) FOR THE PURPOSE OF LEVYING, SUBJECT TO APPROVAL BY REFERENDUM, A QUARTER-PERCENT (0.25%) HEALTH CARE SURTAX FOR A PERIOD OF TEN YEARS; CREATING A SEGREGATED TRUST FUND INTO WHICH ALL HEALTH CARE SURTAX FUNDS WILL BE DEPOSITED; ESTABLISHING AN OVERSIGHT ADVISORY BOARD; PROVIDING FOR THE USE OF THE HEALTH CARE SURTAX FUNDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE BROWARD COUNTY HEALTH CARE PLAN; AND PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, INCLUSION IN THE CODE, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
(Sponsored by Commissioner Mark D. Bogen)
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Why Action is Necessary
The proposed Ordinance was prepared by the Office of the County Attorney as directed by the Board of County Commissioners on March 21, 2024.
What Action Accomplishes
Enables the setting of a public hearing during which the Board may consider enacting the proposed Ordinance.
Goal Related Icon(s)
☐County Commission
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Previous Action Taken
Summary Explanation/Background
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the United States. In 2022, the most recent year for which statistics are available, heart disease was the leading cause of death in Florida and in Broward County, accounting for approximately two out of ten deaths in Florida and for 3,735 deaths in Broward County. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (“CDC”) estimates that 80% of cardiovascular disease is preventable. Insurance plans typically do not cover the full cost of preventive cardiac screening tests (e.g., calcium scoring (“CAC”) or a coronary CT angiography (“CCTA”)).
Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Florida, accounting for just under two out of ten deaths in Florida and for 3,481 deaths in Broward County in 2022.
The proposed Ordinance, if enacted, would authorize, subject to approval by a majority of the electors of Broward County voting in a referendum election on November 5, 2024, the levy of an Indigent Care and Trauma Center Surtax (“Health Care Surtax”) in the amount of 0.25% for a period of ten years to fund a broad range of health care services for persons who are indigent or medically poor, including primary care, preventive care, and hospital care services, as well as innovative, cost-effective programs that include cardiac and cancer preventive screenings, in accordance with the proposed Broward County Health Care Plan, as same may be amended from time to time (“Health Care Plan”).
The initial Health Care Plan is being finalized by County Administration in consultation with medical professionals and the Ordinance’s sponsor. County Administration will distribute the Health Care Plan as additional material upon finalization.
If this item is approved, two additional agenda items will be presented for consideration by the Board on May 7, 2024 (the date of the public hearing on the proposed Ordinance): (i) the Health Care Plan; and (ii) a Resolution placing the referendum on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot.
Source of Additional Information
René D. Harrod, Chief Deputy County Attorney, 954-357-7600
Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Impact/Cost Summary
The Fiscal Impact Statement by the Office of Management and Budget will be provided at the time of the public hearing, in compliance with Section 18.5(e)(7) of the Broward County Administrative Code.