Following his appointment confirmation, Dr. Joseph Ladapo has been confirmed by the Senate as the Surgeon General of Florida. He heads the Florida Department of Health and it’s more than 17,000 employees.
Members of the House Democratic Caucus issued the following statements:
“The appointment of Dr. Ladapo is a step in the wrong direction as the DeSantis administration continues to politicize our public health system. His dismissal of common courtesy and scientific norms would be alarming at the best of times, but during a pandemic it’s frightening and unsafe.
Floridians deserve a full-time, serious, respected surgeon general who speaks and acts with the best interest of the entire state at heart, not a culture war lightning rod. Having someone who is purely a political pick to “troll the libs” in this position is bad for Florida. Hopefully, someday soon we can get politics out of the science of protecting people,” said Leader Evan Jenne (D- Hollywood).
“Governor DeSantis scoured the country looking for an acolyte to replace his ‘do nothing’ surgeon general and lucked out with Dr. Ladapo, a ‘do the wrong thing’ surgeon general. An individual given the immense authority to dictate the state’s public health response should actually believe in public health. His confirmation is an insult to his profession,” said Representative Kelly Skidmore (D- Boca Raton).
Representative Yvonne Hinson (D- Gainesville) added, “With the ongoing pandemic and the surge of Omicron in 2022, it has never been more important for Florida to be led by physicians who will help keep Floridians safe. Dr. Joseph Lapado has consistently ignored the harsh realities of COVID-19 on Floridians and their families. His misleading claims about the virus and unwillingness to break from Governor DeSantis’ dangerous pandemic policies prove that he is not fit to serve as Florida’s next surgeon general. We need leaders who prioritize Floridians’ health and well-being, not those who put partisan politics over public health. Floridians deserve the freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe!”
