New Medicaid director for Florida

Gov. Charlie Crist on Tuesday appointed a familiar face to be the new secretary for the Agency for Health Care Administration. Crist's choice is former Rep. Holly Benson of Pensacola, who for the past year has run the state's business and professional regulation agency. Benson replaces Dr. Andrew Agwunobi, who has resigned to spend more time with his family and relocate to Washington State.

Benson, who helped write a Medicaid overhaul bill while a member of the House, now oversees the state's mammoth Medicaid program.

Comments

Secretary Benson is leaving DBPR so much better than she found it. The word is that she is tireless and courageous in making improvements with "that's the way we've always done it" an unacceptable answer.

Godspeed Madam Secretary.

For all of us regulated at DBPR, this is a big loss. Holly has done an amazing job. Big shoes to fill.

Who will replace her?

Great appointment. This cleanses the administration from the Wellcare stench.

Who is going to lead DBPR?

Wonder if Agwunobody is going to get indicted? The family excuse is often the last refuge of scoundrels.

[Annie Oakley]

It would be nice if AHCA could ever get a Secretary that is not a water carrier for the Hospitals.

Keeping the money machine away from the do-gooders at DOH and DCF is the entire point of AHCA's existence.

I believe Monesia Brown would be an excellent replacement. Good luck Holly, you have done the Department well.

GET BACK TO WORK STEALING MY TAXES, STAFFERS!

10:33
Get back to work billing your client as you blog.

We sure will miss Sec Bensen. she has done a wonderful job and I can't imagine who will be able to fill her shoes...

lets hear the shortlist for dbpr

I know this is great, but it seems like a demotion. I would much rather be at DBPR than AHCA.

GET BACK TO WORK STEALING MY TAXES, STAFFERS!

12:04 - have you seen AHCA's budget. It is a big step up.

I thought she wanted AHCA in the first place when Crist came in, and got DBPR instead...

She is a super smart... get it done kind of a person. Her move to AHCA shows the confidence they have in her.

No doubt that she is really, really smart. It also helps that she has not served on the Board at Wellcare.

i hear larcenia bullard is on the short list for DBPR.

GET BACK TO WORK STEALING MY TAXES, STAFFERS!

Monesia Brown would be a great pick for DBPR

John Sebree for DBPR Secretary! Smart, knows business, close to Crist and those regulated by the agency.

Draft Sebree! Although he won't take the pay cut...

I hope Kim Berfield stays put at DOH.

problem with sebree is he's light of foot...

Marco Rubio for DBPR - I hear he will be looking for a job soon

Monesia Brown would be a terrible pick for DBPR she is barely keeping her head above water where she is. Monesia you and your friends need to stay off of the blog.

[JHC]

A quality association head who has rapport with both governmental and business leaders would be a nice fit at DBPR...and someone who has a long term policy focus, not just immediate focus. It is time we started focusing on what is important as much as we do on what is urgent.

Monesia Brown would be a great pick. She is hardworking and well-respected.

Let's Get Cynthia back. Its been kinda dull lately.

Benson took seconds? Must suck to be second choice. She originally wanted to be AHCA Secretary when Crist took office. Instead she was appointed DBPR. Why leave an agency when you just start it? Poor leadership. Finish what you start.

"Benson took seconds? Must suck to be second choice. She originally wanted to be AHCA Secretary when Crist took office. Instead she was appointed DBPR. Why leave an agency when you just start it? Poor leadership. Finish what you start."

Leadership is also going where you are asked to serve. She may have gotten her second choice initially but she was such a great steward of that opportunity that she EARNED (again) her first choice of assignments. What she started at DBPR will have a good effect for years to come. The cream rises to the top!

Let's Get Cynthia back. Its been kinda dull lately.

I believe Bunny is still with the SBA working through the clean up after the Cities and Counties had that big run on the Local Government Investment Pool. Hope she does not get any of that blaim or stain on her.

3:09 - second... try Linda South - she was third choice for DMS and after being kicked out of AWI with no intention to keep her...

she just got lucky because the first two choices at DMS either didn't want it or were not vetted properly... now that really sucks.

3:09 - second... try Linda South - she was third choice for DMS and after being kicked out of AWI with no intention to keep her...

she just got lucky because the first two choices at DMS either didn't want it or were not vetted properly... now that really sucks.

3:09 - second... try Linda South - she was third choice for DMS and after being kicked out of AWI with no intention to keep her...

she just got lucky because the first two choices at DMS either didn't want it or were not vetted properly... now that really ...

5:53, 5:54 and 5:55p.m. you don't know what you are talking about. The Governor personally interviewed Linda for the OTTED position and liked her so much he offered her DMS. Linda is a smart qualified executive who knows how to manage and agency. She has done an outstanding job as Secretary of DMS.

5:53, 5:54 and 5:55p.m. you don't know what you are talking about. The Governor personally interviewed Linda for the OTTED position and liked her so much he offered her DMS. Linda is a smart qualified executive who knows how to manage and agency. She has done an outstanding job as Secretary of DMS.

Yeah right, what has she accomplished at DMS?

Maybe she was interviewed for OTTED... her tire store background would have been perfect for that position.

Irregardless, she wasnt wanted at AWI and she wasn't the first (or second) pick for DMS.

Bob Allen for DBPR

"Bob Allen for DBPR"

Do they regulate bathrooms? It might be a conflict of interest.

True, the cream rises to the top. But she is far from cream. She didn't rise top on her own. She had help from Cristi. She is more like a phony politician who tells you want to hear. That is not cream. It is a bunch of bs and AHCA will see will right through it.