In my experience, Floridians believe in accountability, transparency and having a say when their tax dollars are on the line. Sadly, a bill proposed in the Florida Legislature violates all three beliefs.
House Bill 1047 and its Senate companion, Senate Bill 1122, is being sold as a way for public hospital systems to “collaborate.” The text of the bill, however, would allow taxpayer-funded hospital districts to consolidate power, enter for-profit ventures, and avoid traditional oversight without public input or voter approval. Instead of collaboration, it is a circumvention of the very safeguards meant to protect patients and taxpayers.
Kelly Skidmore is the state representative for House District 92.
While HB 1047 is a general bill that impacts all hospital districts in the state, it matters deeply in Broward County, where the North Broward Hospital District (Broward Health) and the South Broward Hospital District (Memorial Healthcare System) want to secretly operate as one system, with immunity under the law and the Florida Constitution. These districts are not private companies. They are special taxing districts with extraordinary authority, including the power to levy property taxes, issue bonds, and exercise eminent domain. When entities with that much power seek to fundamentally change how they operate, the public deserves a seat at the table.
Broward residents agree. According to a recent survey of Broward County residents, 73% of voters believe that a shared services agreement between the hospital districts should not move forward without the legal requirements, transparency or voter approval normally required for a merger.
Even more telling, 77% of voters were unaware that such a major change was even being considered. When voters were asked directly whether they support a shared services agreement without public review, opposition outpaced support by nearly three to one.
The concerns go beyond process. Residents, including patients and health care experts, have expressed worries about higher insurance premiums, monopoly power, financial mismanagement, longer travel times for care, and most of all, the lack of transparency associated with this proposal.
These are not abstract fears. Across the country, hospital consolidation has been linked to higher costs, fewer choices for patients, longer wait times, and reduced access to specialized care.
HB 1047 is similar to legislation proposed last year that failed to earn support for these very reasons, but the new proposal is broader and more dangerous, with specific authority to violate state and federal antitrust laws. How does that equal better care?
If supporters of HB 1047 truly believe that exempting our public hospital systems from antitrust laws is in the best interest of Broward County, they should make that case openly in public hearings, welcome community input, and, ultimately, hold a vote of the taxpayers who fund these institutions. Anything less undermines public trust.
Health care decisions affect lives, families and billions of dollars in public resources. They should not be pushed through Tallahassee under the banner of “collaboration” while cutting voters out of the process.
Broward taxpayers deserve transparency. They deserve accountability. And they deserve the right to decide for themselves whether a merger or shared-services arrangement is truly in their best interest.
Kelly Skidmore is the state representative for House District 92 in Palm Beach County.