Looking ahead to this week

Wael Barsoum, M.D., president, Cleveland Clinic Florida

Uninsured rates are expected to increase if the Affordable Care Act is repealed without replacement. While there’s little debate the law has flaws, it does allow millions of Americans and those with pre-existing conditions to obtain coverage. It also provides for preventive care with no cost for screenings, including mammograms, annual visits and immunizations. That’s all good. However, the rise in premiums has made coverage unaffordable for many Americans. Frequent changes in regulations have burdened providers and the metrics and reporting requirements are staggering. Rather than a full repeal, why don’t we encourage Congress to make enhancements to the law? Access to coverage helps us manage chronic diseases while patients transition to full health and employment.

Paul Castronovo, host, Paul Castronovo Show

What will America be like in a Donald Trump presidency? When “Friends” was America’s hot TV show, we all wanted Jennifer Anniston’s haircut (yes, me too). Well, soon we will adopt the Trump-comb over; yes … even mom. “The Orange Barn Owl” as it will affectionately be called will be all the rage at salons across America. Also, when your boss says something disagreeable, instead of saying begrudgingly, “yes sir,” you can belittle them, call them “loser” or “fake boss” and walk away. Finally, we will no longer have to yell at our kids — we can simply tweet at them to clean up their rooms!

Bob Tucker, director, corporate affairs, ADT

A President Trump now means a global spotlight on South Florida every time he flies south to bunk at Mar-aLago. Much like JFK visiting his family’s “Winter White House” in Palm Beach and Harry Truman vacationing at the “Little White House” in Key West, our region will once again shine brightly from news coverage showing a stunning backdrop of sparkling water and swaying palms. It will likely lure more tourists and attract additional companies to relocate here. All that will make it worth tolerating the airport closings and traffic delays as Trump traverses around town.

Mike Ryan, mayor, Sunrise

We need to change the name “day care centers” to a smarter philosophical approach: “early learning centers.” High school education was an early 20th century educational advancement intended to close a gap. Some say the next great educational advancement in closing educational gaps will be through early learning efforts. By the time children reach third grade, we spend more resources trying to close the gap than it would have taken to prevent. The long-term consequences are obvious, from dropout rates to judicial interventions to dampened dreams. We need to invest in smarter, comprehensive early learning strategies.

Tim Ryan, member, Broward County Commission

If the gun lobby has its way, Florida sheriffs won’t be able to go to Tallahassee to meet legislators or speak at committee meetings in uniform or on state time. Perhaps recognizing that uniformed law enforcement officers are formidable opposition — even for the mighty National Rifle Association — the organization’s Florida leader says legislation to ban the practice is forthcoming. This attempt to silence duly elected public officials from representing the concerns of the citizens they’re sworn to protect is an overreach. Gun rights supporters should remember the right to free speech is essential to protecting all our other freedoms.

Jonathan Schwartz, associate vice president, operations planning and real estate, Broward College

The DeVos confirmation hearings for Education Secretary have made me consider the impacts of an expanded voucher program on Broward County schools. Our schools are already under pressure from reduced state funding, and impact fees are sparse since the county is almost fully builtout. Voucher programs are funded through corporate donations which would otherwise be state income tax revenue. But as infill development downtown increases, vouchers may strip funding away from public schools downtown, continuing the downward spiral of low downtown public school enrollment and lack of funding. Gov. Bush championed vouchers, and we may see them increase

under DeVos.

Tom Shea, president, Right Management

News that the earnings gap between high school and college graduates is larger than ever is the latest signal that we must make college and other postsecondary education, such as trades, more affordable to South Florida’s students. It’s encouraging to see leadership emerging on the issue from Gov. Scott and state lawmakers. The Excellence in Higher Education Act introduced in Florida’s Senate aims to help tackle the issue. Watch for its progress in the legislative session that kicks off in early March.