Richard Lynn Scott, born Richard Lynn Myers on December 1, 1952, is a prominent American figure, holding the position of junior United States senator from Florida since 2019. As a member of the Republican Party, Scott previously served as the 45th governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019.
Scott's educational background includes a degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City and a law degree from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. Prior to his political career, Scott served in the United States Navy and worked as a law firm partner before co-founding Columbia Hospital Corporation in 1987.
Under Scott's leadership, Columbia Hospital Corporation merged with another corporation to form Columbia/HCA, which eventually became the nation's largest for-profit health care company. However, during his tenure as chief executive, the company was found to have defrauded Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs. The Department of Justice ultimately won 14 felony convictions against the company, which was fined $1.7 billion in what was then the largest healthcare fraud settlement in U.S. history.
Following his departure from Columbia/HCA, Scott pursued a career in venture capitalism and other business ventures. In 2009, he founded Conservatives for Patients' Rights, a organization focused on healthcare reform.
