TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

MichaelDeLucca, president, Broward RegionalHealth PlanningCouncil, Inc. Millions of Americans have lost or are losing job-based coverage during the pandemic, whichmay cause this year’s open enrollment period under the AffordableCareAct to be the most unpredictable in the history of the 2010 health law. More than 11 million people have health coverage throughHealthCare.gov and state-run health insurance markets offering subsidized private plans. The health lawalso covers another 12 million people through itsMedicaid expansion. The open enrollment period ends on Dec. 15, 2020, for health coverage beginning Jan. 1, 2021. VisitHealthCare.gov to enroll or view additional information.

BernieFernandezJr., M.D., CEO, Baptist HealthMedicalGroup. While FloridaCOVID19 cases have resumedanotherupwardtrend, newresearch is showingdeath rates are declining. Onestudy foundthat at the beginning of the pandemic, hospitalized patients in theNew York health systemhada 26% chance of dying. InAugust, that risk droppedto 8%. Researchers say better treatments and careprotocols, aswell as preventive measures, such asmaskwearing, whichlessens the viral load that can spreadbetween people, arepossible reasons for the decline. Fewer deaths is goodnewsnomatter whatthe reasons, butwe can’t let our guarddown.

MartyKiar, property appraiser, Broward County. Florida voters have approvedAmendment 5. This state constitutional amendment extends the period duringwhich a personmay transfer Save OurHomes benefit or “portability” to anewhomestead property fromtwo tax years to three tax years. To receive this tax saving benefit, a homeowner must establish anewHomesteadExemption within one of the three tax years immediately following the abandonment of their previousHomesteadExemption. This amendment begins with the upcoming 2021 tax year. Should you have any questions, please emailme at martykiar@bcpa.net or call our office at 954-357-6830.

PhilipPurcell, CEO/President, Marine IndustriesAssociation of South Florida. The Fort Lauderdale InternationalBoat Show had exhibitors reporting record sales, hotels with occupancies they had not seen in 10 months, restaurants increasing their employee numbers to accommodate customers. All thiswas accomplished in a safe environment by following a very detailed plan that other events can nowuse as a template. On Sunday, 90 million viewers enjoyed anNBCSports Boat ShowSpecial. What better way to demonstrate South Florida is safely open for visitors? The reality is this eventwould not have happenedwithout strong support and leadership fromBrowardCounty and the city of Fort Lauderdale.

Dr. StevenRonik, CEO, Henderson Behavioral Health. TheNational SuicideHotline DesignationAct of 2020 has been signed into law. TheAct passed the Senate inMay 2020, the House on Sept. 21, andwas signed into lawby PresidentTrumpon Oct. 19. TheAct Designates 988 for a national suicide prevention and mental health crisis hotline and requires the Substance Abuse andMentalHealth services division to report to Congress on infrastructure needswithin six months of the bill enactment. This is an important and meaningful step forward. It recognizes that mental health needs and crises need immediate attention – not just during a pandemic, but always.

Nora Rupert, member, Broward School Board. The pandemic has resulted inmany families throughout the state choosing online learning to educate their children. The state of Florida so far has facilitated this by keeping school district funding intact. The Florida Department of Education can continue to maintain funding levels for the remainder of the school year, but is considering reducing funding to districts for childrenwhoremain online second semester. Thiswould result in tens of millions of dollars lost for Broward County Public Schools. Families need to contact the governor’s office and their legislators and tell themto leave our funding intact.

TomShea,

chairman & founder, Right Management.

Although many experts predicted the pandemic recession to loom over American households for years to come, recent reports are showing households doing much better than expected. Credit scores and consumer savings have increased while household debt has decreased since April of this year. Credit card balances in this year’s second quarter plummeted by $76 billion, the largest drop in the history of the Federal Reserve Bank ofNew York. The stock market has also bounced back in record numbers. As uncertainty continues to sweep the nation, there appears to be a more frugal attitude in American households.

Michael Udine, member, Broward County Commission. All eyes were on Broward County to execute an efficient, seamless and transparent election. The unique challenges of a pandemic, record-breaking voter turnout, an increase in vote-by-mail ballots and creating a safe voting experience for all presented many obstacles to overcome. I am proud to say the Supervisor of Elections’ office overcame them all. Our gratitude and thanks should go out to every poll worker, volunteer, Supervisor of Elections staffer, and so many others who rose to the occasion for one of themost critical elections in our nation’s history.