South Florida 100

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

The top stories last week Steven Ronik, CEO, Henderson Behavioral Health

The Trump administration’s proposed “American Health Care Act,” is described by Congressman Joseph Kennedy as an “act of malice” since millions of Americans who suffer from mental health conditions would lose coverage under this proposal. The plan phases out Medicaid expansion of the Affordable Care Act, as there could be no more enrollees by 2019. Furthermore, it allows tweaking of essential benefits relative to Medicaid, as by 2019 it would be up to the states to cover mental health. This is a step back. Mental health is health, and must be a right for all, not a privilege for some.

Marlon A. Hill, partner, Hamilton, Miller & Birthisel

We are in the midst of national struggle over deciphering the core functions of government. Health care is one of those grey areas. It challenges our sensibilities of compassion for those in need. When one of our citizens cannot physically care for themselves, whether or not of their own fault, how do we decide who should care for them? How do we find the resources to meet their minimum needs? Health care cannot be so personal that we turn our backs on our most vulnerable citizens. At times, our core values must lead and transcend our policies rather than the opposite.

Gary Farmer, member, Florida Senate

Last week I voted against one of the most egregious and unacceptable pieces of legislation that I have ever seen when our state Senate voted to place on prosecutors the burden of proving that a criminal defendant lawfully “Stood His/Her Ground” and therefore was justified in shooting another person. This means that if there are no witnesses to a murder, there will likely be no conviction. Looking back at this law’s dark history, it stands to reason that passage of this bill into law will only lead to the wrongful deaths of more innocent people, especially African-American children.

Howard Finkelstein, chief public defender, Broward County

Racism is the most lethal threat to our justice system. We know that if you are black you will be stopped, searched, and prosecuted more. We know if you are black you are sentenced more harshly. We know that juries take race into account when deciding guilt. In an extraordinary opinion, the United States Supreme Court ruled this week that courts must investigate claims of racially charged jury deliberations. Jury deliberations have always been sacrosanct. But the cancer that is racism can’t hide behind closed doors anymore.

Ina Lee, president Travelhost Elite of Greater Fort Lauderdale

Coinciding with the 110th annual International Women’s Day, thousands and thousands of women participated in “A Day Without a Woman” across our country and state. They took the day off, rallied, wore red, and stopped doing business or shopping other than in women- or minority-owned businesses to support women’s rights, equal pay, gender equality, and a wide range of issues. On the heels of the Women’s March on Washington and sister marches, women are rising up, finding their voices. Even the Statue of Liberty went dark.

Barbara M. Sharief, mayor, Broward County

March highlights the accomplishments of women as we celebrate Women’s History Month. This past Wednesday, many women took a day off to promote “A Day Without a Woman” to bring attention to the economic impact that women have. Women make up about 48 percent of the workforce in the U.S. and have advanced in top executive positions. But we have a long way to go. Only about 20 percent of small business owners in Broward County are women. Nationwide, women continue to be paid less than men. We must work diligently to make that leap to equality and change our history.

Robert Runcie, superintendent, Broward County Public Schools

As a proud immigrant, who came to this country to pursue the American dream, my pride increased on Tuesday when the Broward County School Board approved a resolution which designates Broward County Public Schools as an inclusive, safe and welcoming school district for all students, regardless of immigration status, religion, or country of origin. The resolution affirms our commitment to ensuring schools provide a protected space and environment for students and to upholding the Constitutional rights of students to attain equal access to a free education, regardless of their immigration status or the status of their families.

Nan Rich, member, Broward County Commission

An excellent editorial in the Sun Sentinel exposed Broward’s profound housing crisis. Affordable workforce housing is essential to economic development, job creation, and the wellbeing of our community. Yet Broward has no dedicated source of revenue for affordable housing and does not receive its fair share of funds from Tallahassee. In fact, Broward has contributed $80 million more to the Sadowski Housing Trust Fund over the last 5 years than it has received back from Tallahassee for our housing needs. It’s time for the governor and Legislature to stop sweeping the trust fund and using it for purposes other than housing.

Bernie Fernandez Jr., M.D., CEO, Baptist Health Medical Group

The CDC and a fertility clinic in Puerto Rico are studying the Zika virus’ effects on male fertility. One recent study from Yale University and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute found that male mice infected with Zika had smaller testes and less testosterone three weeks after exposure to the virus. This finding, along with similar results from other studies, has prompted the CDC to follow male Zika patients for at least six months, investigating evidence that the virus similarly affects humans. As we expect a resurgence of Zika, knowing how it impacts human reproduction is important.

Sheldon Harr, founding rabbi emeritus, Temple Kol Ami Emanu-El

We would have hoped that the spate of anti-Semitic acts would have ceased or at least be diminished by now. However, the bomb threats and neo-Nazi graffiti continue unabated. Equally horrendous is the reported increase in traffic of the web sites which deal in hatred of every sort, from anti-Semitism to white supremacy to anti-immigration. The list goes on and on. This is but one symptom of an America in trouble. Tragically Washington seems politically disinterested and distracted to deal with what is a national challenge to the core positive values of our country.