Phil Ammann
Beth Kidder is Florida’s new interim deputy secretary for Medicaid, overseeing the state’s nearly $26 billion state program that pays health costs for the poor.
Christine Sexton of POLITICO Florida reports the announcement was made Oct. 6 in an email to Agency for Health Care Administration employees.
In the current year budget, Sexton writes, the Medicaid program is slated for $25.7 billion, which could increase to $26.4 billion to pay health care costs for elderly and disabled Floridians who qualify.
Kidder is taking the place of Justin Senior, who left Oct. 3 to become the agency’s interim secretary.
Senior replaced Liz Dudek, who has led the AHCA since the agency’s creation in the 1990s.
State records show Dudek was paid $141,000 annually. Senior, who reported directly to Dudek, earns $142,000 a year.
Dudek, who resigned unexpectedly Sept. 21, served as AHCA Secretary for both Gov. Rick Scott and former Gov. Charlie Crist.
Before becoming interim deputy secretary for Medicaid, Sexton notes Kidder served as assistant deputy secretary for Medicaid policy and quality. According to a state government website, Kidder has been with the state since 2001 and earns $120,000.
