Richard Lynn Scott, born on December 1, 1952, is an American politician, attorney, and businessman currently serving as Florida's junior United States senator since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, Scott previously held the position of the 45th governor of Florida from 2011 to 2019.
Scott's educational background includes a degree from the University of Missouri–Kansas City followed by a law degree from the Dedman School of Law at Southern Methodist University. After completing his service in the United States Navy, he became a partner at a law firm and, in 1987, co-founded Columbia Hospital Corporation. This venture eventually merged with another organization to create Columbia/HCA, which grew to be the largest for-profit healthcare entity in the United States. However, Scott's tenure as chief executive came under scrutiny, leading to his resignation in 1997. During this period, Columbia/HCA faced significant legal issues, resulting in 14 felony convictions and a substantial $1.7 billion fine for healthcare fraud, marking the largest settlement of its kind in U.S. history at that time.
After leaving Columbia/HCA, Scott transitioned into venture capitalism and explored various business opportunities, including founding Conservatives for Patients' Rights in 2009 to advocate for healthcare reform. His career reflects a blend of legal expertise, entrepreneurial spirit, and public service.
