The Florida Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) has come under fire for launching a webpage that criticizes a proposed constitutional amendment aimed at restoring abortion access beyond six weeks. The move has prompted Florida Democrats to accuse the agency of misusing state funds to interfere with the upcoming election.

AHCA Secretary, Jason Weida, stated that the purpose of the webpage is to counter misinformation surrounding Florida's abortion laws. However, the page argues that Amendment 4 poses health risks to women and children. It also claims that if the amendment passes, the Florida Legislature will lose the ability to implement necessary healthcare regulations.

Florida Democrats have condemned the webpage, alleging that it violates state statutes which prohibit state employees from using their authority to influence elections. Nikki Fried, Chair of the Florida Democratic Party, called the AHCA's anti-Amendment 4 website "illegal" and accused Governor Ron DeSantis and his allies of attempting to manipulate the election results.

At the bottom of the webpage, the agency highlights the funding received by Floridians Protecting Freedom, the sponsors of Amendment 4, from out-of-state organizations. AHCA further echoes concerns expressed by Governor DeSantis, arguing that the language of the proposed amendment is too vague. The agency's webpage includes a list of laws and regulations that it claims would be in jeopardy if Amendment 4 is approved, including sanitation standards and the use of anesthesia during abortions.

In a separate development, it has been revealed that the Florida Department of State is reviewing 36,000 signatures collected for placing Amendment 4 on the ballot. The review, initiated just 60 days before the election, follows certification of the signatures by Florida Secretary of State Cord Byrd. The inclusion of language on the November ballot, asserting that the amendment could lead to costly litigation and public funding of abortions through Medicaid, was allowed by the Florida Supreme Court. The decision was made despite objections from DeSantis' aides and Republican legislative leaders.

Democratic Representative Ashley Gantt of Miami-Dade County expressed shock and anger in response to the AHCA's webpage, stating that it reflects anti-democratic behavior. Gantt cautioned that such actions are the initial steps towards a dystopian future, similar to what is depicted in "The Handmaid's Tale".

In another controversy surrounding AHCA, a whistleblower who exposed the administration's plan to introduce golf courses and hotels in state parks, resigned in January 2022 after being accused of sending harassing messages to a co-worker with whom they were in a relationship.

As the DeSantis administration intensifies its campaign against Amendment 4, AHCA's involvement in the political battle over Florida's abortion-rights amendment has sparked criticism and allegations of inappropriate use of state resources.