AHCA

Jason Weida was appointed to run the Agency for Health Care Administration, which oversees the state's Medicaid program. He fills in for Simone Marstiller, who recently stepped down.

The Agency for Health Care Administration oversees a Medicaid program that had grown to more than 5.53 million beneficiaries, as well as hospitals, nursing homes and most other health care facilities in Florida.

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.