Letter to the Miami Herald in response to their article about Jeb Bush hiring practices


I am very proud of the fact that Jeb Bush and I disagreed on a number of issues from how to monitor and stop Medicaid fraud to how to deliver more services to frail elders. I am also proud of the fact that I stood against the Republican control legislative branch of government that wanted to enrich their friends and families’ coffers and defended the right of elders to select the services they need and the agencies they wanted.

During my tenure as Secretary, protecting the most vulnerable citizens in our state was my only agenda. I am therefore concern that my name continues to appear every time the Herald decides to mention my successor Terry White and mentioned other secretaries that were fired by Jeb Bush for abusing their power. I did not break any ethical and moral law on the contrary I blew the whistle on those that committed fraud and malfeasance.

I am asking the Herald and the media outlet to stop mixing me with those that are abusing their power. I left the Department of Elder Affairs with my honor intact and my principles untouched.

The only mistake Jeb did in hiring me was to underestimate my strong moral and ethical values.

Gema G. Hernández, former Secretary Department of Elder Affairs 1999-2001.