Joseph Ladapo

Only a few states have a surgeon general. Florida has had one since 2007, but critics say the job serving as the top advocate for wellness and disease prevention has changed because of politics.

State medical boards have an obligation to investigate complaints about doctors, such as those who spread COVID misinformation. But in Florida, Tennessee and other states, lawmakers are saying "not so fast."

A Republican-controlled panel votes 5-4 along party lines after Democrats questioned Dr. Joseph Ladapo for nearly two hours over his views on COVID. The nomination next moves to a full Senate vote.

The comments on Dr. Joseph Ladapo were in an FDLE background check requested by the state Senate as part his confirmation process and made public just before his second confirmation hearing.

Republicans on the Health Policy Committee voted unanimously to back Dr. Joseph Ladapo’s confirmation, which ultimately needs approval from the full Senate.

The FDA says therapies from Regeneron and Eli Lilly should no longer be used because they don't work against omicron. Gov. Ron DeSantis says the action will "cost some Americans their lives."

Amid the delay in the rollout of Biden’s plan, the governor says the state is honing its own strategy to send COVID tests to at-risk Floridians.

The governor and surgeon general point to residents who get tested "multiple times per week" without COVID symptoms and will add state guidance to “unwind the testing psychology” of the Biden administration.

In a letter sent to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra, Dr. Joseph Ladapo wrote that federal agencies should not be controlling COVID options. He asked that Florida be able to pursue unlimited acquisition of any treatment.

Florida's surgeon general leads a discussion on youth nicotine use and other issues during a meeting of the Florida Children and Youth Cabinet.