One of the most powerful Republicans in Florida has proposed a bill that would allow Broward County’s two hospital districts to form public and private deals and businesses together more easily, without running afoul of federal antitrust laws.
The bill, proposed by Sen. Joe Gruters of Sarasota, is a second go-round for Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, which are now both under the leadership of the same CEO. Gruters is the chairman of the Republican National Committee and previously served as chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. He is ideally poised to get the legislation approved.
Gruters’ version, SB 1122, submitted on Tuesday is broadly worded and states that two or more special districts that operate as hospital districts may jointly enter into any type of venture, partnership, or service line, whether public or private, for-profit or not-for-profit, anywhere within the boundaries of the special districts. Rep. Hillary Cassel, a Broward Republican, introduced a related bill, HB 1047, in the Florida House on Wednesday. This would open the door for the two previously competitive Broward districts to get into all kinds of new businesses together.
“Everybody says government should run like a business,” said Ron Book, lobbyist for the Broward health districts. “Everyone in business says allow the free enterprise system to work, and the private sector says competition is good. This bill allows the two districts to collaborate and do things that meet the needs of the community. I don’t know why anyone would be opposed to that.”
Last year, similar proposed legislation stalled in Tallahassee, where it was opposed by one of the country’s largest hospital companies, HCA Healthcare, which operates four hospitals in Broward County. It was also met by backlash locally among Broward residents and health system workers who feared it was a step toward the merger of the two independent public health systems. This time, Shane Strum, CEO of Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, has been more open with the public and Broward County leaders. He pushed for the proposed law at an Oct. 27 meeting of the Broward Legislative Delegation as a way to increase cooperation between the two taxpayer-funded hospital systems and allow them to act in ways that otherwise could be questioned as monopolistic.
Cassel, who also sponsored last year’s bill, was unavailable Wednesday but told the Sun Sentinel in October that she believes the proposed legislation has more momentum this year.
“Now we have a lot of support under us from the community, from Broward County, that I’m going to be able to bring to Tallahassee to say, ‘This is something the county needs. This is good for Broward. This is good for the community. And it’s good for the residents,’” she said.
Book on Wednesday said Gruters, is an ideal Senate sponsor. “I think there is no better promoter of competition and free enterprise,” Book said. “This is about competition and allowing us to operate more efficiently, which is what taxpayers want us to do.”
Broward Health is the recognized name for the North Broward Hospital District, the government district that operates hospitals and other health services in the two-thirds of the county north of Griffin Road. Memorial Healthcare System is the recognized name for the South Broward Hospital District, which provides services in the southern third of the county. Together, they are a healthcare juggernaut with 11 hospitals, free-standing ERs, urgent cares and a cancer center.
Strum has repeatedly said the proposed legislation is about collaboration between the two hospital systems, not a merger. In October, Strum said the word “merger” was used against the proposals by opponents.
The biggest unknown is what HCA will do. Previous reporting by the Sun Sentinel disclosed that during the 2025 session, the legislative lobbying database showed 23 people from seven different lobbying and law firms registered to represent the company. Filings show Heather Turnbull, managing partner of Rubin, Turnbull & Associates, one of the state’s most influential lobbying firms, lobbied against the hospital district proposal in 2025. Turnbull did not respond to a request for comment Wednesday on HCA’s stance on the newest incarnation of the proposed legislation.
Around the country, antitrust lawsuits against hospital systems and healthcare corporations have become more common.
“We are really hopeful that HCA ultimately sees they have nothing to be afraid of,” Book said. “We should have the same opportunities to collaborate, and nothing stops them from wanting to do things with us. We are hopeful those who advocate on their behalf will bring this to a place where everyone finds it’s in the best interest of the whole community.”
Sun Sentinel health reporter Cindy Goodman can be reached at cgoodman@sunsentinel.com.