AHCA

Christopher Kimball steps into the post as the state’s medical marijuana industry could be poised to double in size and as challenges pile up over the decision to award a sought-after license to a Black farmer.

The disputes involve budget fine print that directed money to AHCA to adjust reimbursement rates so Medicaid providers would pay at least $15 an hour to "direct care" employees

Members of the Florida Board of Medicine and Florida Board of Osteopathic Medicine joint committee voted on a draft rule that would restrict doctors from providing treatments to trans people under age 18.

One plaintiff said the state's Medicaid program pre-approved him in August for a chest surgery scheduled for later this year. Then the state enacted a new rule excluding such treatments from the plan.

The lawsuit, filed Monday in federal court in Tampa, came after AHCA Secretary Simone Marstiller submitted a Freedom of Information Act request seeking numerous records about importation proposals by Florida and other states.

Seven out-of-state scientists and a Yale law professor say the proposal ignores “established science” and relies on "biased and discredited sources, stereotyping and purported ‘expert’ reports that carry no scientific weight.”

A meeting drew more than 150 people, with supporters of the proposal - many of sporting “Let Kids Be Kids” decals and making biblical references - vastly outnumbering opponents.

Some face legal challenges, such as a bill that would prevent abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

It would include puberty blockers, hormones and sex-assignment surgeries for both youth and adults.

AHCA, which runs most of the Medicaid program, published a proposed rule and set a July 8 hearing on the issue. National and state legal and LGBTQ-advocacy groups have vowed to fight the proposal.

The 7-2 decision involved a teen who suffered catastrophic injuries after being hit by a truck in 2008 and how much money Medicaid should be able to recover. The case has drawn attention from officials across the country.

Groups criticized a report that the Agency for Health Care Administration is using as a basis for the expected effort to deny Medicaid coverage for the treatments.