Lawmaker scrutiny expected to increase for Casey DeSantis' Hope Florida program due to connections with state health agency
The initiative, spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis, seeks to link eligible residents who require assistance with available resources in the community.
TroibNews 
TALLAHASSEE, Florida — This week, Hope Florida is set to undergo increased scrutiny from state lawmakers regarding its partnership with the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA). Lawmakers are focusing on newly imposed requirements for Medicaid operators, which involve sharing patient data, incentivized participation, and a $10 million transfer made last year.
Hope Florida, spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis, aims to connect eligible residents with vital community resources. Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed that the Legislature formally establish Hope Florida in state law, raising concerns about the organization's funding and expenditure practices.
The initiative already collaborates with the Florida Department of Children and Families, which has assigned staff to assist with inquiries from eligible residents. This flagship program, seen as a potential platform for Casey DeSantis, received significant support from AHCA. The agency, which manages most of Florida's Medicaid program, has made participation in Hope Florida a contractual obligation for insurance companies providing managed care coverage to the majority of the state’s 4.3 million Medicaid enrollees.
Minutes from an October 14 Hope Florida Foundation Board meeting, obtained by PMG, indicate a resolution related to a long-standing disagreement with AHCA, which led to the $10 million funding for the Hope Florida Foundation.
In response to inquiries about the managed care contracts, AHCA spokesperson Mallory McManus noted that the agency has the authority to select expanded Medicaid managed care benefits. Regarding the $10 million allocation, McManus explained that the funds stemmed from a pre-lawsuit settlement in favor of AHCA.
“There was no civil action and this settlement did not require the expenditure of state funds, so no notice was required,” McManus wrote in an email. “This was a pre-suit settlement in AHCA’s favor that was directed, in part, to the direct support organization which serves a population of individuals traditionally served by AHCA.”
The contract with AHCA also mandates that managed care contractors share data with Hope Florida. State Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo raised concerns about the necessity for an organization led by the first lady to access healthcare data pertaining to such a large number of enrollees.
“The grift never ends and it gets creepier,” Pizzo remarked during a phone interview. “Why does the first lady’s organization need access to medical records?”
Bookkeeping issues regarding Hope Florida emerged last week in a state House bill analysis, prompting Governor DeSantis to respond by accusing the House of launching a smear campaign against the first lady’s program, which he claims has already benefited over 30,000 people. The AHCA contract ensures that Hope Florida will receive referrals under the Medicaid managed care program.
The model contract on AHCA’s website incentivizes participation from ten insurance companies involved in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, which serves nearly 3.5 million enrollees. Companies that successfully refer more enrollees to Hope Florida stand to receive an increased number of assignments from AHCA.
“The Agency shall leverage the SMMC program to improve certain non-medical conditions through a closed-loop referral system that ensures the Managed Care Plan is accountable and incentivized to create Hope Florida,” the contract stipulates.
This year’s legislative session has already scrutinized the state Medicaid program, particularly by the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, which last month questioned AHCA about a $160 million loss related to past bookkeeping errors. AHCA is scheduled to appear before the same committee on Wednesday to continue discussions surrounding the managed care program. Chair Alex Andrade stated that he would refrain from commenting on AHCA’s managed care contracts until after the meeting.
“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions,” Andrade said. “But there are questions that haven’t been answered yet.”
Andrade did not address the questions raised about the $10 million allocation from AHCA that was mentioned by the Hope Florida Foundation board in October.
Concerns regarding Hope Florida have arisen as the Legislature evaluates FL HB1327, which seeks to institutionalize the program into law. An analysis prepared by House staff for a meeting of the House Human Services Subcommittee highlighted challenges in obtaining audits and records related to Hope Florida from the Department of Children and Families. This prompted Governor DeSantis to accuse House Speaker Daniel Perez of colluding with Democrats and disseminating misleading information to the press.
“They’re not trying to step on the left’s throat,” DeSantis said at an event last week. “They’re giving a lifeline to the Democratic Party.”
In defense of the staff analysis, Perez characterized it as a standard part of the legislative process but affirmed that the House would continue to examine Hope Florida’s financials.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
Hope Florida, spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis, aims to connect eligible residents with vital community resources. Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed that the Legislature formally establish Hope Florida in state law, raising concerns about the organization's funding and expenditure practices.
The initiative already collaborates with the Florida Department of Children and Families, which has assigned staff to assist with inquiries from eligible residents. This flagship program, seen as a potential platform for Casey DeSantis, received significant support from AHCA. The agency, which manages most of Florida's Medicaid program, has made participation in Hope Florida a contractual obligation for insurance companies providing managed care coverage to the majority of the state’s 4.3 million Medicaid enrollees.
Minutes from an October 14 Hope Florida Foundation Board meeting, obtained by PMG, indicate a resolution related to a long-standing disagreement with AHCA, which led to the $10 million funding for the Hope Florida Foundation.
In response to inquiries about the managed care contracts, AHCA spokesperson Mallory McManus noted that the agency has the authority to select expanded Medicaid managed care benefits. Regarding the $10 million allocation, McManus explained that the funds stemmed from a pre-lawsuit settlement in favor of AHCA.
“There was no civil action and this settlement did not require the expenditure of state funds, so no notice was required,” McManus wrote in an email. “This was a pre-suit settlement in AHCA’s favor that was directed, in part, to the direct support organization which serves a population of individuals traditionally served by AHCA.”
The contract with AHCA also mandates that managed care contractors share data with Hope Florida. State Senate Democratic Leader Jason Pizzo raised concerns about the necessity for an organization led by the first lady to access healthcare data pertaining to such a large number of enrollees.
“The grift never ends and it gets creepier,” Pizzo remarked during a phone interview. “Why does the first lady’s organization need access to medical records?”
Bookkeeping issues regarding Hope Florida emerged last week in a state House bill analysis, prompting Governor DeSantis to respond by accusing the House of launching a smear campaign against the first lady’s program, which he claims has already benefited over 30,000 people. The AHCA contract ensures that Hope Florida will receive referrals under the Medicaid managed care program.
The model contract on AHCA’s website incentivizes participation from ten insurance companies involved in the Statewide Medicaid Managed Care program, which serves nearly 3.5 million enrollees. Companies that successfully refer more enrollees to Hope Florida stand to receive an increased number of assignments from AHCA.
“The Agency shall leverage the SMMC program to improve certain non-medical conditions through a closed-loop referral system that ensures the Managed Care Plan is accountable and incentivized to create Hope Florida,” the contract stipulates.
This year’s legislative session has already scrutinized the state Medicaid program, particularly by the House Health Care Budget Subcommittee, which last month questioned AHCA about a $160 million loss related to past bookkeeping errors. AHCA is scheduled to appear before the same committee on Wednesday to continue discussions surrounding the managed care program. Chair Alex Andrade stated that he would refrain from commenting on AHCA’s managed care contracts until after the meeting.
“I don’t want to jump to any conclusions,” Andrade said. “But there are questions that haven’t been answered yet.”
Andrade did not address the questions raised about the $10 million allocation from AHCA that was mentioned by the Hope Florida Foundation board in October.
Concerns regarding Hope Florida have arisen as the Legislature evaluates FL HB1327, which seeks to institutionalize the program into law. An analysis prepared by House staff for a meeting of the House Human Services Subcommittee highlighted challenges in obtaining audits and records related to Hope Florida from the Department of Children and Families. This prompted Governor DeSantis to accuse House Speaker Daniel Perez of colluding with Democrats and disseminating misleading information to the press.
“They’re not trying to step on the left’s throat,” DeSantis said at an event last week. “They’re giving a lifeline to the Democratic Party.”
In defense of the staff analysis, Perez characterized it as a standard part of the legislative process but affirmed that the House would continue to examine Hope Florida’s financials.
Ramin Sohrabi for TROIB News
