Slosberg Charges Health-Care District With Hoarding Cash
By Phil Galewitz, The Palm Beach Post, Fla.
May 20–State Rep. Irving Slosberg on Friday said “something fishy” is going on at the Health Care District of Palm Beach County, and he’s calling for a state audit to determine whether the agency is “hoarding” taxpayer dollars.
Slosberg, D-Boca Raton, is calling for a state review of the county agency that he helps oversee as one of seven health care district commissioners.
The taxpayer-funded district that provides care to the poor, runs the county trauma system and oversees health care in the Glades, is “stockpiling hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars,” said Slosberg, who is running for state Senate. He points to the $180 million average cash balance the district had on its books last year.
District officials say Slosberg doesn’t know what he’s talking about. They say the district has more than $130 million in reserves, but that money is needed to build a $55 million hospital in Belle Glade, help the county Health Department build a new headquarters in downtown West Palm Beach and renovate its Edward J. Healey Rehabilitation and Nursing Center in West Palm Beach. In addition, the district runs several health insurance programs and must keep millions in reserve to pay claims.
The district has cut its tax rate the past four years, though its revenues have increased along with property values. The district gets funding mostly from property taxes.
“We are sorry that our prudent financial management is being used as a pawn in political wrangling that has nothing to do with the district,” said David Goodlett, the district’s chairman.
Slosberg admits he’s is upset with the district because he doesn’t think it does enough to help seniors. Last year, the district board refused to approve without any review Slosberg’s proposal to stockpile water and food to help seniors who become trapped after hurricanes.
About half of the district’s $154 million 2006 budget goes to help the uninsured in Palm Beach County. The federal Medicare program provides health coverage to everyone over 65.
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