Broward’s Hospital Systems Merge

Introduction to Broward’s Public Hospital Systems

Broward County’s two largest employers outside the school system are also its two largest hospital systems: Memorial Healthcare and Broward Health. These two public health systems are moving closer together, sharing top leadership and seeking a new law that would allow for even more cooperation.

Background on the Hospital Systems

Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System are both taxpayer-funded public health systems, mandated to accommodate anyone who shows up at their doors, whether they can pay or not. The dividing line between their service areas is roughly Griffin Road, with Broward Health serving the area north of this line and Memorial serving the area south. However, these lines are becoming increasingly blurred as leaders from the smaller, less financially successful Broward Health take over key positions at Memorial.

Leadership Changes and Concerns

At the helm of both systems is Shane Strum, who was Governor Ron DeSantis’ chief of staff until he returned to Broward in 2021 to become the president and CEO of Broward Health. Six months ago, the board of Memorial Healthcare System, appointed by DeSantis, named Strum their interim chief executive, giving him unprecedented power over Broward’s two public health systems. This move has raised concerns among some employees who fear that the increased cooperation could lead to massive job cuts.

Goals of the Merger

According to Strum, the goal of this closer relationship is to enable the two hospital systems to collaborate better, doing more things together to help patients. Elizabeth Justen, chair of Memorial’s board of commissioners, expressed support for Strum, stating that his exceptional performance has given them no reason to search for a new CEO. Strum knows both systems well, having been a senior vice president at Memorial and served on its board. He has reportedly turned things around for the better at Broward Health.

Antitrust Law Exemption

Strum and his lobbyists are pushing for a bill that seeks to exempt the actions of the boards from state and federal antitrust law. Strum does not see this as a problem, believing that Broward Health and Memorial are like sisters who do not compete with each other. He thinks that by creating a better understanding of where they want to go, they can achieve more efficiencies. However, when Strum mentions “efficiencies,” some critics interpret this as potential job cuts, especially after he fired 66 Memorial employees and demoted or gave pay cuts to another 30 or so.

Reaction to the Changes

The restructuring has not been reassuring to supporters of Memorial, with nearly 1,700 endorsing a petition warning of Strum seizing “monopolistic control and unchecked power” if the legislature passes the bill. However, with less than a month left in the legislative session, it appears the bill is stalled in committee. Memorial’s board vice chair, Steven Harvey, said that early results from the systems’ “Better Together” initiative show the opposite of what critics fear, with plans to create additional locations, enhance mobile and virtual care, expand the provider base, and create greater access to primary and maternity care.

Cooperation and Patient Care

Broward Health board member Ray Berry emphasizes that the cooperation between the two systems is about enhancing patient care. He shared a personal story of how a lack of communication and medical record exchange between the two systems may have contributed to the death of his father-in-law. Both systems are now on the same records system, and Berry sees Strum’s leadership of both as a significant advantage for patient care.

Conclusion

The move towards closer cooperation between Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System is a significant development in the healthcare landscape of Broward County. While there are concerns about potential job cuts and the concentration of power, the goal as stated by the leadership is to improve patient care through better coordination and efficiency. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be important to monitor how these changes impact both the employees and the patients of these two critical public health systems.

FAQs

1. What are the two public hospital systems in Broward County?

   • The two public hospital systems in Broward County are Memorial Healthcare and Broward Health.

2. Why are these hospital systems moving closer together?

   • They are moving closer together to share top leadership and seek a new law that would allow for more cooperation, aiming to improve patient care through better coordination and efficiency.

3. Who is leading both hospital systems?

   • Shane Strum is currently the CEO of both Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System, holding unprecedented power over Broward’s two public health systems.

4. What are the concerns about the cooperation between the two systems?

   • Some employees are concerned that the increased cooperation could lead to massive job cuts, and there are also concerns about the potential for monopolistic control and unchecked power.
5. What is the goal of the bill that Strum and his lobbyists are pushing for?
   • The bill seeks to exempt the actions of the boards of Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System from state and federal antitrust law, allowing for more freedom in how they cooperate and make decisions.