By Angie Wong For millions of people, a serious diagnosis comes with two types of fear. First, there is the fear of the disease — the cancer, the Crohn’s, the rheumatoid arthritis. But quickly, a second, sharper fear takes over: Will I be able to afford the help I need? I’ve witnessed friends and family discover the […]
Written by Lt. Col. Al Santos (Ret.) President Trump has warned about the dangers of allowing China to gain influence over the digital infrastructure that supports America’s economy, military, and institutions. That concern is well-founded. If data center development is discouraged here at home, those facilities do not simply disappear. They are just built in […]
By Mary C. Mayhew Florida’s health care system is at an inflection point. Hospitals across the state are doing everything they can to keep maternity units open, maintain inpatient psychiatric care and preserve access to specialty children’s care – because Floridians depend on them. But they are working against the headwinds of Medicaid reimbursement amounts […]
By Col. Dennis Freytes (USA, ret.) Florida’s aerospace sector employs more than 144,000 people across the state, generating $17.7 billion annually. Its continued growth depends on the United States maintaining its decisive edge in artificial intelligence – technology that lies at the core of modern space systems, national security and industrial innovation. And that’s why […]
A very short flight from my home in the Florida Keys, the world’s deadliest animal has taken more than 30 lives in Cuba since December — most under the age of 18. Mosquitoes carrying dengue and chikungunya are responsible for those deaths. The Centers for Disease Control has issued a travel warning to Cuba. And as Floridians know all […]
By Rep. Gus Bilirakis For too long, tax season has been synonymous with confusion, stress, and wasted time. Families braced for complicated forms, surprise bills, and an IRS process that felt designed to trip people up rather than help them succeed. As Americans embark upon tax season this year, they will notice that era is […]
By Kerri Toloczko What do you get when you combine $485 million in taxpayer benefits for Florida’s nonprofit hospitals and a dramatic rise in costs for Florida residents? An investigation by Attorney General James Uthmeier, concerns from state lawmakers, and distrust by senior citizens like me who are paying more than ever out of pocket […]
By Commissioner René García Human trafficking is a grave crime against human dignity and a reality that affects communities around the world, including our county. As the Commissioner for Miami-Dade’s District 13 and a former Florida State Senator, I have dedicated years to foster institutional partnerships and secure resources that strengthen our community’s response and […]
As the director of the Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA) program at the University of North Florida, I have been charged with graduating as many doctorally prepared advanced practice nurses as I can in response to the continual anesthesia provider shortage problem. But it is so disheartening to watch graduates cross that stage at commencement, […]
By Nick Orlando, Executive Director of the Florida Smoke Free Association Florida is already grappling with a flood of unregulated disposable vapes, and pretending otherwise jeopardizes our youth. The Florida Smoke Free Association stands firmly behind SB 980 because it delivers what Florida needs: real, enforceable safeguards. This isn’t about inviting new products; it’s about […]
By Jeffrey Mazzella In recent elections, voters have made it clear that they prefer leaner government, free markets, and policies that reflect core American values that foster innovation. In other words, precisely those principles that have solidified Florida as an economic juggernaut. As state policymakers seek to improve healthcare affordability, they must therefore avoid overshooting […]
While researching health plans for my father, I was advised to explore Medicare Advantage. After reviewing the available options and ensuring his preferred doctors were in-network, I chose Medicare Advantage—and I’m so glad I did. Once enrolled, his providers took the initiative to schedule preventive care exams he otherwise wouldn’t have prioritized, making it easier […]
By Driena Sixto Over the last three years, close to a dozen American children have been kidnapped by a parent and moved to or retained in Thailand. The country’s complex legal landscape, under its constitutional monarchy, often creates an environment where a parent can relocate and stay with a child without the other parent’s consent. […]
True leadership is measured by clear thinking and honest direction. The public response to recent events in Venezuela shows something else: repetition without substance. Across offices and platforms, the messaging is nearly identical. The same openings. The same moral framing. The same cautions. Different names attached, but interchangeable language. This is not consensus. It is […]
By Frank De Varona In Florida, in 2023, the discussion over frivolous lawsuits and the impact they were having on our auto, home, and medical malpractice insurance was a raging debate. Our insurance market was in crisis. Many people were even losing their policies. The answer seemed to lie in one key area: lawsuits. Florida […]
Caring for a loved one is one of the most meaningful responsibilities a person can take on, but it often feels like it brings too many challenges. Thankfully, preventive care, such as vaccines, plays a crucial role in easing that burden. When vaccines and other preventive services are easy to access, caregivers can plan ahead […]
By Rachel Moscoso Vibrant energy and undeniable culture have fueled Miami’s growth. But behind the scenes, the city’s spending is spiraling out of control. Miami’s budget has expanded far faster than population growth or inflation can justify. New data from Florida Chief Financial Officer Blaise Ingoglia and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) found that […]
The hardest part of being a foster mom isn’t the late nights or the paperwork—it’s realizing how close so many children came to real danger before someone stepped in. You start to understand the gap between what the system promises and what it actually delivers. I’ve helped kids piece their lives back together after adults […]
