Agency for Health Care Administration Secretary Simone Marstiller is stepping down from the job that includes overseeing Florida’s massive Medicaid program.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, who will soon begin a second term, announced the move in a Twitter post Monday.
He tweeted that Marstiller “led the way by driving transparency & accountability in health care, fighting for patients’ rights & standing against vax mandates. She demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Floridians — I thank her for her service & wish her the best in retirement.”
Marstiller responded, “Thank you, Governor! It has been a privilege and a blessing to work with you on such critically important issues. May God continue to order your steps as you lead the great FREE state of Florida.”
The agency oversees a Medicaid program that had grown to more than 5.53 million beneficiaries in October. AHCA also is going through a process that will lead to awarding billions of dollars in contracts to Medicaid managed-care plans.
AHCA also issues licenses for hospitals, nursing homes and most other health care facilities in Florida.
DeSantis appointed Marstiller as the agency’s secretary in February 2021, after she served a little more than two years as secretary of the Department of Juvenile Justice. She previously was a judge on the 1st District Court of Appeal and secretary of the Department of Business and Professional Regulation.
Copyright 2022 Health News Florida.
