Newly released records linked to Hope Florida reignite intra-GOP political battle
'I am hopeful this will help the folks in the governor's office gain a better understanding of the fact that FL is receiving 3.4 times more than the most aggressive actual damages calculation,' Mississippi lawyer Matthew C. McDonald wrote to Tallahassee lobbyist Crystal Stickle, as detailed in the records. 'As we have discussed on multiple occasions, pursuing litigation in FL based on the conduct alleged in Ohio would result in the state recovering far less than is being offered as part of this settlement.'
The records also detail the roles played by several key officials who took part in putting the settlement together. They include emails from Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, who is still awaiting Senate confirmation after being nominated by President Donald Trump in late May to become a federal judge. Guard signed off on the finalized settlement in September after he removed the attorney general's office as the designated recipient of the settlement funds because they involve Medicaid. Guard determined the funds should instead be managed by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates most of the state's Medicaid program and is funded by $34.6 billion in federal and state dollars.
Guard, who previously prosecuted cases on behalf of the attorney general's Medicaid Loss Control Unit, also said the settlement was different from others involving Medicaid funding.
'Normally, the federal share is explicitly detailed in the settlement agreement, and I am not sure AHCA wants us to get the remainder of the money,' Guard wrote in a Sept. 13 email to Andrew Sheeran, the top legal advisor at AHCA. 'If it is just going to the Legislature and [general revenue], I can probably make it work, but I believe this is different than I have seen in a settlement with Medicaid monies.'
When Jeremy Redfern, spokesperson for the attorney general's office, was asked if Guard would offer comment, he said the records spoke for themselves.
Uthmeier, who only met with Centene about the settlement when he was chief of staff for Ron DeSantis, appears to have had minimal involvement based on the records.
Uthmeier was appointed by DeSantis in February to replace former Attorney General Ashley Moody after she was appointed to the Senate. He is now gearing up for a race to keep his position in next year's elections. Meanwhile, Casey DeSantis has been considering a run for Florida governor and has yet to make a decision.
The controversy and outrage among state lawmakers over Hope Florida's $10 million donation throughout this year's legislative session led them to strip funding for the program in this year's state budget. The state Senate also failed to confirm Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch and AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris due to concerns about the program. But most of the fury died down by the time Ron DeSantis signed this year's budget at the end of June.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
2 hours ago
- Business Upturn
ROSEN, A GLOBAL AND LEADING LAW FIRM, Encourages Centene Corporation Investors to Secure Counsel Before Important Deadline in Securities Class Action
NEW YORK, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of securities of Centene Corporation (NYSE: CNC) between December 12, 2024 and June 30, 2025, both dates inclusive (the 'Class Period'), of the important September 8, 2025 lead plaintiff deadline. SO WHAT: If you purchased Centene securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement. WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Centene class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than September 8, 2025. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation. WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience, resources, or any meaningful peer recognition. Many of these firms do not actually litigate securities class actions, but are merely middlemen that refer clients or partner with law firms that actually litigate the cases. Be wise in selecting counsel. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company at the time. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers. DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period provided investors with material information concerning Centene's expected revenue guidance and adjusted diluted earnings per share ('EPS') for the 2025 fiscal year. Defendants' statements included, among other things, confidence in Centene's enrollment and morbidity rates, as well as strong retention rates in Centene's Medicare business. Defendants provided these overwhelmingly positive statements to investors while simultaneously disseminating materially false and misleading statements and/or concealing material adverse facts concerning the true state of Centene's enrollment and morbidity rates. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages. To join the Centene class action, go to or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] for information on the class action. No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: on Twitter: or on Facebook: Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. ——————————- Contact Information: Laurence Rosen, Esq. Phillip Kim, Esq. The Rosen Law Firm, P.A. 275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor New York, NY 10016 Tel: (212) 686-1060 Toll Free: (866) 767-3653 Fax: (212) 202-3827 [email protected]
San Francisco Chronicle
3 hours ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Bay Area county could raise taxes to offset Trump Medicaid cuts
In response to recent federal legislation that cuts billions of dollars to Medicaid, Santa Clara County supervisors on Thursday unanimously voted to add a ballot measure to November's special election that would increase local sales tax by five-eighth cent (0.625%) for five years to try to backfill some of the projected lost federal revenue. The federal legislation HR 1 was passed by Congress and signed into law by President Trump in July. It includes the biggest cuts to Medicaid, the joint federal-state health insurance program for low-income Americans, in the program's history. These cuts are expected to lead to devastating reductions in critical medical services, especially at public hospitals that rely primarily on Medicaid reimbursement, and to many people losing access to benefits and care. Santa Clara County's effort to raise local sales tax for this purpose appears to be one of the first such actions by a local jurisdiction to fill the gap in health care funding created by HR 1. If approved, the sales tax would generate an estimated $330 million a year, a fraction of the roughly $1 billion in estimated loss of federal funding over the next few would take effect April 1, 2026, and help fund health services, including the county's four public hospitals and 15 clinics. The current countywide sales tax rate is 9.125%; it would go up 0.625% to 9.75% if the measure passes. Some cities in the county have higher tax rates, such as San Jose (9.375%) and Campbell (9.875%). In those places, the tax would go up 0.625%. 'We cannot afford to sit back and tell ourselves it won't be that bad because it will, for all of us,' said Supervisor Susan Ellenberg. 'While no one is excited about new taxes, particularly in this volatile time, my view is this is a direct and necessary response to the enormous threats to a vast array of county services.' The special election, to be held Nov. 4, was called to replace county assessor Larry Stone, who stepped down in July. The county said the special election presented a unique opportunity to put the sales tax measure before voters quickly, since waiting until the regular election in November 2026 would increase the potential harm from the Medicaid cuts.
Axios
5 hours ago
- Axios
Trump admin eyes insurance cuts to hospitals offering trans care for youth
Trump health officials are considering a policy that would limit hospitals' ability to participate in Medicare and Medicaid if they perform gender-affirming medical procedures for transgender youth. The big picture: Hospitals are highly dependent on payment from public health insurance. Medicare and Medicaid covers at least two-thirds of inpatient days at more than 80% of hospitals, according to a 2024 report from the American Hospital Association. State of play: The proposed policy change landed at the White House for review on Thursday, according to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs' website. The rule is expected to prevent hospitals that provide gender-affirming procedures for minors from getting paid by Medicare or Medicaid, the National Review reported on Thursday. Stakeholders — including the National Women's Law Center and the Illinois attorney general's office, both which have advocated for gender-affirming care for youth — have scheduled meetings with administration officials to discuss the policy before it is officially proposed. Trump administration health officials didn't respond to questions about which procedures or services would be prohibited for Medicare and Medicaid-participating hospitals. It's not clear when the administration aims to phase in the change. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told Axios that it doesn't comment on potential future regulations but that future CMS actions will continue to support President Trump's executive order to defund gender-affirming care for minors. That order has been temporarily blocked in court. Zoom out: Many hospitals — even in deep-blue states — have already pulled back from providing transition-related services for minors over fear of losing federal funding based on previous Trump administration actions. 16 states last week sued the administration over the funding threat and other actions, including investigations of hospitals and demands for patient data, saying they amounted to an attempt to enforce a nationwide ban on transgender care. Reality check: Gender-affirming medical care for kids with gender dysphoria is supported by major medical organizations including the American Medical Association.
