Sen. Polsky Won't Vote For AHCA Weida's Confirmation Because Of Alleged LBGTQ Or Anti-Trans Statements

By Diane Rado, Florida Phoenix

April 24, 2023

Jason Weida, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration in Florida who is up for Senate confirmation said Monday that he is scheduled to be deposed this afternoon in a lawsuit over blocking certain gender affirming care, a contentious topic during the spring legislation session.

Weida, an attorney, told senators at the Senate Ethics and Elections committee that he could not answer certain questions about the lawsuit during the confirmation hearing Monday morning.

He had already been advised by his attorneys, both in the agency and outside lawyers, that he should not answer certain questions because he will be involved in a deposition Monday afternoon and possibly other testimony.

Weida acknowledged to senators that there is a pending lawsuit over stopping certain gender affirming care treatments through use of Medicaid dollars. While he could not answer questions on the issue, Weida said that, “I can tell you that safeguarding children is a very part of my job.”

Democratic State Sen. Tina Polsky, who represents parts of Broward and Palm Beach counties, said, “We’re expecting to vote on your confirmation today. This is a big topic going on in our Legislature this year with gender affirming care or just care in general for transgender children. So you are unable to give your own opinions right now.”

Weida reiterated that his attorneys advised him not to answer those questions because of his deposition coming up.

“We have a very important job here, senators, to vet and confirm appointments,” Polsky said. “And if we don’t have all the information in front of us, I don’t know how we can vote on a particular candidate. I think all of us would agree that there is attack on very vulnerable youth through various transgender legislation and rules by agencies.”

In her remarks toward Weida, Polsky also stated that “you have made statements in the past that one would view as LBGTQ or anti-trans. I am very uncomfortable putting someone in that very high position.”

Overall, the committee hearing recommended Weida for the agency, though Polsky said no on the vote.

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