Politics
Governor DeSantis Unveils Legislation for Big Pharma Transparency and Accountability, Lower Prescription Drug Prices
Published
3 years agoon
THE VILLAGES, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis unveiled a legislative proposal to reign in unchecked Pharmacy Benefit Managers (PBMs) and drive transparency among prescription drug prices influenced by Big Pharma. This proposal furthers the Administration’s efforts to lower prescription drug prices and reaffirms the state’s commitment to assist Floridians in making more informed health care decisions. Many states have enacted comprehensive reforms to PBMs and it is time for Florida to take action to protect consumers and small businesses. To read the full proposal, click here.
“These reforms will enhance transparency and reduce the influence of pharmacy middlemen, which will help consumers as well as our small pharmacies,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “I look forward to these reforms becoming law.”
“The American people have been led to believe that drug costs are high so that pharmaceutical companies can continue to perform research,” said State Surgeon General Dr. Joseph Ladapo. “But this claim ignores the fact that pharmaceutical research and innovation tends to begin in universities, mostly through NIH funding. That’s our tax dollars. The American people deserve affordable prescriptions, not unnecessary mark-ups that continue to line the pockets of Big Pharma.”
Consumer choice remains a top priority for the Governor when it comes to prescription drugs. Today’s proposal includes key steps towards lowering prescription drug prices and increasing accountability, including: prohibiting spread pricing, prohibiting reimbursement clawbacks, and tackling issues with steering.
The proposal also increases the registration requirements of PBMs to ensure a more comprehensive evaluation is conducted prior to doing business here in Florida. Today, PBMs pay a mere five dollar registration fee, disclose limited details about themselves to the state and are subject to little to no accountability. The legislative proposal takes the following steps for accountability:
- Requires PBMs to disclose all organizations affiliated with the applicant, including any affiliated pharmacies or companies within their corporate umbrella.
- Requires PBMs to disclose any complaints or settlement agreements they’ve been party to prior to operating in Florida.
- Directs the Office of Insurance Regulation to take action against PBMs which violate state law and hold them accountable, as is consistent with all insurers.
- Proposing a public disclosure requirement of all proposed drug price increases.
- Requiring all manufacturers to submit an annual report outlining and justifying any increases over the past year.
Right now, Floridians can get billed months after a prescription is filled. This proposal requires PBMs to work in accordance with a basic standard of due care, skill, and professionalism. This legislation makes PBMs provide information on complaints and settlements they have been involved in when applying for a state license, imposing accountability standards that have not existed before.
In July, Governor DeSantis signed EO 22-164, directing all executive agencies to include provisions in all contracts to prohibit spread pricing and clawbacks and review all relationships with pharmacies, insurers, and manufacturers. All provisions of EO 22-164 are included in the legislative proposal and expanded to include the commercial market.
Nearly 9 in 10 adults 65 and older are currently taking prescription medicine, and one fourth say it is difficult to afford their prescription drugs — Florida is tackling this issue head on. Nearly 800 days ago, Florida submitted its landmark Canadian Drug Importation Program to the federal government. This program could save Floridians $150 million annually, yet the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has refused to act on this proposal. In response to federal government inaction, Florida is finding innovative ways to drive transparency and accountability among health care services.
Florida’s prescription drug price transparency portal, MyFloridaRX.com, offers a Prescription Drug Price Locator that combines prescription drug data to shed light on pharmaceutical costs among individuals covered by Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insurance to ensure a uniform system of price transparency.
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Florida
Attorney General James Uthmeier Announces Arrests in Central Florida Medicaid Fraud Case
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 28, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Attorney General James Uthmeier announced the arrests of Alexander McKinnie and Kara Morrison in connection with a scheme to defraud Florida’s Medicaid program.
“Medicaid fraud is a clear example of theft from taxpayers,” Uthmeier said. “In Florida, our Medicaid Fraud Control Unit will safeguard public funds and aggressively pursue anyone who exploits these programs.”
An investigation by the Attorney General’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit determined that McKinnie submitted tens of thousands of dollars in fraudulent claims for non-emergency medical transportation gas reimbursements for trips that never occurred.
Investigators said McKinnie fraudulently billed Medicaid for more than $65,000 in medical services that were never provided. Morrison assisted in the scheme by submitting approximately $7,000 in false reimbursement claims.
McKinnie is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud exceeding $50,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both charges are first-degree felonies, punishable by up to 30 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
Morrison is charged with one count of Medicaid provider fraud under $10,000 and one count of organized scheme to defraud. Both are third-degree felonies, punishable by up to five years in prison and $5,000 in fines.
McKinnie was arrested by the Orange County Sheriff’s Office, while Morrison was arrested by the Hillsborough County Sheriff’s Office.
The cases will be prosecuted by the Office of the State Attorney for Florida’s Eighteenth Judicial Circuit.
Central Florida News
Orange County Government Updates Temporary Warming Center Schedule
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 28, 2026
ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. (FNN) — Orange County officials announced updated operating hours for the county’s temporary warming centers following revised weather forecasts indicating temperatures will not fall below 40 degrees for at least four consecutive hours.
As a result, warming centers will be closed Thursday, Jan. 29, and Friday, Jan. 30, 2026. The centers will reopen Saturday, Jan. 31, at 5 p.m. and remain open continuously through Monday, Feb. 2, at 10 a.m.
Warming Center Locations and Hours
Temporary warming centers are located at the gymnasiums of Barnett Park Recreation Center and Goldenrod Recreation Center and will operate on the following schedule:
Wednesday, Jan. 28, 2026: 5 p.m. – 9 a.m.
Thursday, Jan. 29 – Friday, Jan. 30: Closed
Saturday, Jan. 31: Opens at 5 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 1: Open 24 hours
Monday, Feb. 2: Closes at 10 a.m.
Transportation Services Available
For residents in rural East Orange County, Bithlo Community Park will continue to serve as a transportation hub, with LYNX bus service providing access to the Goldenrod Recreation Center.
LYNX Bus Schedule:
Saturday, Jan. 31 – Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026: 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
LYNX buses provide free transportation to warming centers.
Pet Policy and Additional Shelter Resources
Secured pets are permitted on buses and at warming centers. Pet owners must provide carriers for cats, leashes for dogs, and all necessary food and supplies.
Warming center operations are subject to change based on weather conditions. For the latest updates, visit www.ocfl.net/cold.
Additional Homeless Services Network partner locations include:
Coalition for the Homeless, 18 N. Terry Ave., Orlando
Matthew’s Hope, 611 Business Park Blvd., Winter Garden
Orlando Union Rescue Mission, 3300 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
The Salvation Army Orlando (Men Only), 624 Lexington Ave., Orlando
The Salvation Army Orlando (Women and Children Only), 400 W. Colonial Drive, Orlando
Politics
Gov. DeSantis: Florida Opts Into Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit to Expand School Choice
Published
2 weeks agoon
January 28, 2026
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (FNN) — Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida will opt in to the Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, a new program created under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, further expanding school choice opportunities for families across the state.
“Florida families have access to the nation’s top-ranked and largest school choice program,” DeSantis said. “About 1.4 million students are enrolled in school choice options in Florida—more than most other states’ entire K-12 school population. This new federal program will allow Florida families to supplement their existing scholarships.”
Federal Tax Credit Expands Education Freedom
The Federal Education Freedom Tax Credit, which takes effect Jan. 1, 2027, allows taxpayers to receive a tax credit of up to $1,700 annually for contributions that help K-12 students cover educational expenses. By opting into the program, Florida enables families to combine federal benefits with existing state-based scholarships, further broadening access to educational options.
Florida’s Leadership in School Choice
Florida enacted universal school choice in 2023, ensuring every family has access to education options that meet their needs. Nearly half of all students in the state now participate in school choice programs, including private schools, charter schools, virtual education, and homeschooling.
National Recognition and Rankings
Florida continues to lead the nation in education freedom. The Heritage Foundation ranked Florida No. 1 in Education Freedom for the fourth consecutive year, also awarding top marks in Education Choice, Civic Education, Academic Transparency, and Teacher Freedom. The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) ranked Florida No. 1 for Education Freedom for the third straight year, citing student-centered funding, charter schools, and homeschooling. The Center for Education Reform also ranked Florida No. 1 on its Parent Power Index for the fourth consecutive year, highlighting the state’s leadership in transformational learning and choice programs.
