• The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration listed Jason Weida as its Interim Secretary on Thursday 
• Weida previously served as Chief of Staff within the agency 
• According to his profile, Weida, a former assistant U.S. attorney, worked to manage Medicaid policy within the organization before being named Chief of Staff
• Weida succeeds Simone Marstiller and is a top contender to be appointed to the permanent position 

Jason Weida has been named as the Agency for Health Care Administration’s (AHCA) Interim Secretary, according to the group. Weida most recently worked as the agency’s Chief of Staff.

According to his profile, Weida, a former assistant U.S. attorney, worked to manage Medicaid policy within the organization before being named Chief of Staff.

As Chief of Staff, Weida coordinated Medicaid and Health Care Regulation policy with other state agencies, the legislature, and the federal government.

Weida’s appointment as interim comes after Simone Marstiller, who served the secretary role since 2021, stepped down from the position ahead of Florida’s lobbying ban.

In his new position, Weida will oversee the administering of Florida’s Medicaid program ahead of a new legislative session.

The government agency is also in the midst of a complex process of awarding multi-billion dollar contracts to Medicaid managed-care providers who will serve millions of Florida families in the Medicaid program.

Weida is reportedly one of the top contenders to take over the permanent position, with a held expectation that Gov. Ron DeSantis will make an appointment in the weeks leading up to the 2023 Legislative Session.

AHCA is a state agency responsible for the administration of the Medicaid program in Florida, as well as the regulation of healthcare facilities and providers in the state.

AHCA works to ensure that Floridians have access to healthcare by setting standards for facilities and providers, and by working to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the healthcare system in the state.

The agency also operates a number of programs and health initiatives including the Healthy Kids program, which provides low-cost health insurance to children, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, which advocates for the rights of residents of long-term care facilities.