Healthcare workers protest bills that could merge Broward’s public hospitals

Two nearly identical bills recently filed in the Florida Legislature could grant Broward’s two public hospital districts broader powers, potentially paving the way for a merger or major business partnerships.

These bills (HB 1253 and SB 1518) would allow Broward Health and Memorial Healthcare System to pool resources and allow them to collaborate in ways that could include forming new nonprofit and for-profit ventures, partnerships, business entities, and service lines “regardless of the competitive consequences.” The legislation also gives both systems the ability to operate jointly in nearly every area.

But critics argue that such moves could harm patient care and reduce the quality of services available to Broward residents.

Local healthcare workers, particularly those at Memorial Healthcare System, have also raised alarms that the merger or partnership, under the guidance of interim Memorial CEO Shane Strum, would give him unchecked control over both systems.

A petition titled Stop the Dismantling of Memorial Healthcare System — created by Code Gray, an MHS insider who is “Writing on Behalf of Many” — expresses concern over the legislation. The petition warns that the proposed changes could transform the public healthcare system into a corporate machine, where financial strategies take precedence over patient needs.