Make no mistake, Shane Strum’s “Better Together” is a merger in everything but name, not simple coordination between Broward’s two public hospital systems.
Here’s why. The management structure of Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System appears functionally identical. The same individuals occupy the top roles — often simultaneously — with one key distinction. At Memorial, titles are labeled “interim.” That may sound temporary on paper, but it concentrates day-to-day authority in the same hands across both systems.
Memorial’s “interim” leadership is now positioned to negotiate cooperative arrangements with Broward Health’s “permanent” leadership, effectively across the same desk.
Purchasing and approvals have reportedly been streamlined so agreements do not meaningfully burden either board with robust, independent review. Instead, approvals rest with the CEO on both sides of transactions. It becomes difficult for the public to know who’s negotiating, who’s approving — and most importantly, who’s ensuring the deal is fair.
Transparency concerns are compounded when public records requests, such as for executive employment contracts and related documents, go unanswered or delayed, and litigation under Florida’s Public Records Act results in the same law firm defending both systems. The effect is to blur accountability and reduce independent oversight.
“Better Together” is marketed as collaboration, but the operational reality looks like the consolidation of power — placing control over billions in public health care assets under one executive umbrella without clear checks, voter input and sunlight that Broward taxpayers deserve.
Dan Lewis, Fort Lauderdale
Misguided priorities
Gov. Ron DeSantis shows us once again his misguided priorities regarding public safety.
As our interstate highways, state roads and Florida’s Turnpike experience more traffic fatalities and serious injuries, he allocates more money for a state militia that has accomplished few if any pertinent missions.
It’s apparent the agency has been relegated to the governor’s private army, where nepotism prevails and public resources are misused.
It’s time our Legislature puts an end to this misguided adventure and reallocates those critical funds allocated to the militia to where they are desperately needed — to the Florida Highway Patrol, which needs more troopers.
Charles Miller, Port St. Lucie
Grifters are exempt
The president whines about an IRS contractor under his appointed minion, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, for releasing his tax data in his first term. He knows how we feel about his other appointed minion, Elon Musk, releasing American citizens’ protected personal data with the Supreme Court’s blessing.
Trump singlehandedly delivered the coup de grâce to America with Putin’s blessing. Of course, almost all the sycophantic billionaire and millionaire grifters are exempt, since they pay few or no taxes.
Can you imagine how many American children could be fed, and small business could be assisted?
But no. All goes to him, his family and their wealthy co-conspirators.
Jude Smallwood, Royal Palm Beach
Making America stronger
As the U.S. approaches its 250th anniversary, we have a real opportunity (and responsibility) to protect our democracy. This is a time to bring people together, not divide us.
It takes courage to speak up. We need more leaders who choose integrity over comfort, and principle over politics. Leaders who are willing to confront hard truths instead of ignoring them.
People like Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman, Ambassador Marie Yovanovitch, Special Counsel Jack Smith, Rep. Liz Cheney and Rep. Adam Kinzinger have shown what that looks like. They have all demonstrated loyalty to the Constitution — not a person — and a genuine commitment to national well-being over personal gain.
That is how we build a stronger and better nation.
Leonor Sanchez, Miami
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