Florida Lawmakers Ask for Federal Investigation into Use of Medicaid Funds to Oppose Marijuana Legalization
Two Democratic members of Congress from Florida have requested a federal investigation into the alleged misuse of Medicaid funds to oppose a citizen-led initiative to legalize marijuana in the state. Reps. Kathy Castor and Darren Soto sent a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) inspector general and the administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, urging them to investigate the potential diversion of Medicaid dollars to fund anti-marijuana efforts.
The lawmakers claim that a $10 million donation from a state legal settlement was improperly used to fund a political nonprofit that opposed the proposed marijuana legalization ballot measure, Amendment 3. The donation was made to the Hope Florida Foundation, which was founded by Florida First Lady Casey DeSantis, the wife of Governor Ron DeSantis, who strongly opposed the amendment.
The investigation would focus on whether the diversion of Medicaid funds constitutes “potentially unlawful diversion” and whether it violates federal law. The lawmakers argue that the diversion of Medicaid dollars means that the state is less able to provide services to those who rely on the program, including children, pregnant women, and individuals with disabilities.
The alleged impropriety involves a series of financial transactions between the Hope Florida Foundation, a political nonprofit, and a PAC controlled by Governor DeSantis’s former chief of staff. The lawmakers claim that the transactions appear to be a scheme to defraud the Medicaid program and may implicate other relevant statutes and regulations.
The request for an investigation comes as Governor DeSantis has signed a bill into law that prohibits the spores of psychedelic mushrooms, a move that has been criticized by some as an attempt to restrict access to alternative forms of medicine. The governor has also signed a separate bill that creates new hurdles for advocates aiming to put ballot initiatives before voters, including a requirement that supporters post a $1 million bond before commencing signature gathering.
The lawmakers’ request for an investigation has sparked concerns about the potential misuse of Medicaid funds and the impact it may have on the state’s healthcare system. The incident has also raised questions about the governor’s involvement in the alleged scheme and his commitment to transparency and accountability in government.
