Indigent care's reserves healthy

But Hillsborough's health care fund is wary of hard times and growing enrollment.

By BILL VARIAN, Times Staff Writer
Published September 2, 2007

TAMPA - At a time of shrinking budgets, one Hillsborough County government kitty is suddenly flush.

The Hillsborough County Health Care Plan, which provides free or nearly free medical treatment for the poor and only a few years ago was struggling financially, has a growing pool of money in the bank.

Big money: $91.9-million in reserves, as of the end of July.

That's more than it costs to run the program for a year.

County health and social services director David Rogoff said the reserves - called the program's trust fund - have swelled in part due to sharply rising proceeds from the half-cent sales tax that pays for the program. And he said those proceeds arrived at a time when the program's enrollment dipped after commissioners voted about two years ago to limit eligibility and some types of care.

But enrollment is rising again. Rogoff said state forecasts predict a slump in sales tax collections in coming years. Further, he expects the state to force counties to dramatically increase the portion of money they provide to treat people in some Medicaid programs, money that also comes out of the health plan.

"I am sensitive to the issue of the trust fund balance because I want to make sure it's at the right level," Rogoff said. He scrapped a proposal this year to restore some parts of the program, such as dental and vision care. He fears hard times could be ahead for the state. That could potentially swell enrollment in the primary care programs that remain at the same time tax collections ebb.

Enrollment is now hovering around 15,000 people monthly.

Commissioner Brian Blairsaid he would like to see enrollment expanded. But first, he said, he would like to look at using some of the reserves to repay as much as $20-million in property tax money used to subsidize the program.

Commission Chairman Jim Norman, the longest-serving board member, said he was surprised reserves had gone up so rapidly, but the amount sounded about right, given the unsteady nature of sales tax revenues.

Rogoff sets a goal that "three years from now we're still financially sound so we can control our destiny and do the best thing for the residents of Hillsborough County who need our help."

FAST FACTS

Needy health care

The Hillsborough County Health Care Plan provides health care for people who fall below the poverty line, lack insurance and don't qualify for other government assistance. It is paid for through a half-cent sales tax that raised about $107-million a year, which also covers the costs of a couple of other health-related programs.

[Last modified September 1, 2007, 23:22:55]