A.G. Gancarski
Gov. Ron DeSantis likens an eight-figure allocation to First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hope Florida initiative to the topping on an ice cream sundae.
“This was in addition to what they were getting. This is kind of like a cherry on top where they agreed to make an additional contribution,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said of the $10 million steered to the charity in a $67 million settlement between Medicaid managed care operator Centene and the state.
The issue came up in Wednesday’s House Health Care Budget Subcommittee meeting.
Chair Alex Andrade, a fellow Republican who has lately been at odds with the Governor on many issues, said the “$10 million transfer of funds … was probably illegal” and questioned the assertion from Agency for Healthcare Administration (AHCA) Secretary Shevaun Harris that the settlement wasn’t “taxpayer funds.”
DeSantis said the outcry from Republicans is evidence of a “political agenda.”
“These are people who never had anything negative to say about any of the stuff … with Hope Florida, and so they’re basically grasping at straws to try to do something to try to reflect negatively on it. Like, it has nothing to do with Hope Florida. But the reality is this is a political agenda, and you do have Republicans and the leadership office working hat in hand with the Miami Herald and the Tampa Bay Times, very liberal media outlets,” DeSantis said.
“Is that what Republicans do … work with the Miami Herald? Are you kidding me? But that’s what they’re doing. And they think that somehow you’re going to believe this drivel. So don’t fall for the political nonsense.”
DeSantis made the comments at the City of Sweetwater Community Center.
This is the latest attempt by the administration to push back against complaints about Hope Florida. After Wednesday’s hearing, AHCA called the inquiry a “complete ambush.”
“It’s concerning how little Representative Andrade understands about Medicaid, as demonstrated in his performative committee hearing today,” said AHCA spokesperson Mallory McManus. “He also purposefully misconstrued the structure and nature of the Hope Florida program, which is shameful.”
Andrade called the “bizarre public statement” a “badge of honor” in response.
12 comments
George
April 10, 2025 at 11:10 am
Dear Governor…PROVE IT!!
FL Guy
April 10, 2025 at 11:45 am
What the hell else is he gonna say? My new Chief of Staff is a crooked piece of garbage with no integrity? That would be the truth.
FLPatriot
April 10, 2025 at 1:07 pm
CORRUPTION
Tom Reynolds
April 10, 2025 at 2:19 pm
The people want to know and you need to produce the Public Records Ron!
We know what you’re up to Ron …
You are doing everything you can to promote ….
The Fake Cancer Lady …
and you be back dooring some of the Doe from the hoe … YOU dirty Ron … and the days of your corruption are coming to an end. Just like Putin … Trump is going to sick his Lock em Up Officials aka The Kash … you know FBI Director after you and … The Fake Cancer Lady … You best step aside for … Governor Donalds!
SuzyQ
April 11, 2025 at 11:28 pm
No, he will not. Shame on you for your slanders and crazy conspiracy theories, especially about cancer. Shame on you.
Skeptic
April 12, 2025 at 9:32 am
As the music swells, Evita sings “Don’t cry for me La Florida”
MH/Duuuval
April 12, 2025 at 5:02 pm
I am hearing the old. baseball standard: “The showers are calling, drip drip, drip drip.”
Michael K
April 10, 2025 at 2:48 pm
I believe the technical term is GRIFT.
MH/Duuuval
April 10, 2025 at 5:56 pm
Lock her up, right, MAGAs?
PeterH
April 10, 2025 at 7:27 pm
Grifting other people’s money is a favorite Republican pastime.
Republicans are America’s worst enemy! Vote all Republicans out of office!
Justice
April 12, 2025 at 8:46 am
The tea spilled from the legislators, points to DeSantis’ money grab of taxpayer cash, to fund his election interference ads on Amendments 3 & 4, to be the cause of the rift between them.
MH/Duuuval
April 12, 2025 at 5:04 pm
Look like it, J.
Glad there is still a free press out here to ask questions and seek numbers.