Governor Ron DeSantis announced yesterday that Secretary Simone Marstiller will leave the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) in the new year. Secretary Marstiller submitted her resignation letter to Governor DeSantis on November 9. Her resignation takes effect on December 30, 2022. It is the first secretary-level departure in the DeSantis administration following the midterms elections as the Governor prepares for his second term.

In a tweet, Governor DeSantis said Secretary Marstiller "led the way by driving transparency & accountability in health care, fighting for patients' rights & standing against vax mandates. She demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Floridians – I thank her for her service & wish her the best in retirement."

In her previous role, Secretary Marstiller led the Department of Juvenile Justice before replacing Acting Secretary Shevaun Harris, who was appointed Secretary of the Department of Children and Families.

According to Florida Politics, Secretary Marstiller leaves just weeks before a new six-year lobbying ban takes effect, prohibiting former agency heads from lobbying the executive branch and legislature. Under state law, certain elected officials are currently forbidden from lobbying for only two years.

Stay tuned for an announcement regarding Secretary Marstiller's replacement.