In a recent column, Shane Strum argues that closer alignment between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System is necessary to improve access. However, from a public health perspective, structural consolidation is unlikely to solve Broward’s challenges.
Research shows that when large hospital systems coordinate or reduce competition, costs rise without meaningful improvements in quality or outcomes. In fact, higher costs untilately reduce access as patients delay, skip medications or avoid preventive care.
Broward’s access problems are real emergency room crowding, behavioral health shortages, long wait times for specialists and gaps in community-based services. These issues are operational, not structural. Hospitals already have the ability to collaborate without special legislative protections.
From a health population standpoint, communities benefit most from affordability, accountability and strong local performance. Maintaining a balanced, competitive healthcare environment, while improving operational efficiency and expanding community services, is more likely to improve access and outcomes for families than further system alignment.
Dr. James Roach, Parkland
Put patients over politics
As a pediatric surgeon, when I look at issues affecting the health of our community, I focus on outcomes and data, not rhetoric.
Sun Sentinel commentary criticizing legislation that would allow Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System to collaborate overlooks the real needs of patients, and the data before us. We face a physician shortage, and patients across Broward lack equal access to high-quality care. Collaboration can address that. Maternal health data nationally and in South Florida makes clear the need for practical, cost-effective ways to reach pregnant women who need care.
Every day, my colleagues and I care for children and families with complex medical needs. Yet under current law, where we are allowed to practice is determined not by where patients need care, but by outdated geographic boundaries. As a result, there are times when patients need specialized care and we are not permitted to help simply because of where they live or sought care. This results in delays as patients are transferred or provided less-than-ideal temporary care.
Bills filed in 2026 would have allowed Broward Health and Memorial to collaborate so physicians like me could care for more patients across the county. The bills do not merge hospital systems or raise taxes. They allow two public systems to coordinate services, and let doctors go where patients need them. Healthcare decisions should be guided by physicians and patients, not politics.
This conversation must continue. The need has not gone away.
Dr. Holly Neville, Hollywood
Florida Blue vs. Memorial
Who really wins when the a health insurance company and a public hospital system get a divorce?
It has now been four months since Florida Blue and Memorial Healthcare System in Hollywood got divorced. Each is still saying the other has unrealistic and greedy money demands. But 31,000 of us were still kicked to the curb.
I have an upcoming doctor’s appointment, which for me is now considered out of network. Memorial told me the cost of the visit is $126 if I pay on my own. Florida Blue gave me some crazy calculation about meeting out-of-pocket deductibles.
I would say $126 is not a lot of money to stay with my original doctor, who is someone I have a good relationship with. But it begs the question: Is this what both sides want? Is the patient the only loser here?
Rich DiGirolamo, Hollywood
Put employee health first
It’s disheartening to see the Broward County School Board prioritizing financial considerations over teachers’ well being. By refusing to cover drug costs, citing high prices, they risk cutting off essential support.
Teachers are the foundation of our schools, and drugs serve many purposes. Just because a drug has multiple uses doesn’t mean it should be denied access through insurance. Drugs like GLP-1 are no longer covered by county insurance — even though they’re being used for weight loss.
Perhaps Broward should wait for the President to reduce drug costs by 100% to 1,500%, making them much more affordable. Until then, the Broward County School Board has a duty to ensure a healthy teaching staff, no matter the cost. If money is an issue, they might offer free services.
Hal Krantz, Coral Springs
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