TOP STORIES FROM LAST WEEK

Our panel of 100 influential leaders discusses the most important issues affecting you.

Mike Caruso, member, Florida House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the “No Patient Left Alone Act.” This new law will require hospitals and nursing facilities to allow in-person visits and mandate the creation of visitation procedures and policies. With a large elderly population, this is a particularly important policy for South Floridians. Having the comfort of family and friends is critical during our most vulnerable times. A medical facility denying visiting rights with no legitimate justification is cruel. Our governor is taking a stand for patients’ rights, and I stand with him.

Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, member, U.S. House of Representatives. This week, the Senate made history by voting for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s confirmation to the Supreme Court. Jackson is a brilliant legal mind with the utmost character and integrity. She has served at all levels of the justice system and brings a depth and breadth of legal experience. She will make an exceptional Supreme Court justice and has made history as the first Black woman on the highest court. Not only has Jackson earned strong support in the Senate, but she has gained strong support from the public as well. Multiple surveys show support for her confirmation around 60% — the highest since the nomination of Justice John Roberts.

Frank Ortis, mayor, Pembroke Pines. I know no one wants to think about hurricane season again, but just like taxes, it comes around every year and is nearly upon us. Accuweather forecasters are the latest to predict an above-normal hurricane season, estimating 16 to 20 named storms with six becoming hurricanes that may impact the U.S. Every year, these predictions come out and we strongly urge residents to either begin preparations or maintain them, and every year, we get pushback saying we are hyping the situation. Folks, hurricanes will come whether we are prepared or not. Isn’t it better to be prepared?

Larry Rein, CEO and President, ChildNet. April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Prevention efforts in South Florida are substantial and effective. The number of Broward and Palm Beach children removed from their homes and placed into foster care due to abuse are lower than ever. They still, however, number more than 100 per month. We must do better. We must acknowledge that adult substance abuse permeates local child abuse, cited as the reason for removal in nearly half of local cases. To truly succeed in preventing child abuse we must continue to invest substantially in improving the quality of drug treatment and its timely access.

Wendy Sartory Link, supervisor of elections, Palm Beach County. Palm Beach County Canvassing Board members and select elections office staff attended the Florida Supervisors of Elections’ 2022 Canvassing Board workshop last week. It was great to meet with over 400 supervisors, judges, attorneys, county commissioners and key staff from elections offices from throughout Florida. Elections offices across Florida are preparing for upcoming elections this fall while working to keep elections in our state secure, fair, accurate and transparent. The next election in Palm Beach County will be the Aug. 23, 2022 primary election. Voters must register or change party affiliation by July 25. Don’t delay, visit VotePalmBeach.gov today!

Eleanor Sobel, former member, Florida Senate . DuringtheCOVID-19pandemic,thefederal government bolstered state Medicaid programs to ensure that people would not be removed during the international health crisis. However, as we possibly near the end of the COVID-19 pandemic, such funding and coverage will be terminated. In fact, more than 15 million Americans may lose their Medicaid coverage in the coming months. Although many may receive subsidized treatment through Obamacare, public health officials worry about a drastic increase in the number of uninsured Americans. Given the long-term effects of the COVID-19 virus, including kidney and respiratory issues, health coverage is more important than ever.

Chad Van Horn, founding partner attorney, Van Horn Law Group, P. A. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International and Miami International are the top two — for all the wrong reasons. Our two South Florida airports have the longest wait times for security and passport control out of the top 20 largest airports in the world, according to a survey of TSA and Customs & Border Protection data over the past year. Inadequate staffing seems to be the driver of the problem. With tourism as the lifeblood of our economy, we should offer the most seamless travel experience on all levels. Let’s keep our tourists coming back again and again.

Ana Ziade, mayor, North Lauderdale. Whether on TV, radio or in the newspaper, it’s the same stories over and over again. Sentencing phase for the Parkland shooter, war in Ukraine, gas prices going up, and now is the time, so sell your home because there is a housing boom. But there is also gun violence, and no one talks about where and how these illegal guns are getting into the hands of our kids, or what’s being done to stop it. Yes, there is an increase in value of homes, but also mortgages that are difficult to pay and will be even worse when we receive our next tax bills with an increase due to value increase. We are struggling financially, with health care, and to properly educate our children so that they can make something of their lives.