Source: KFF Health News

Florida’s delayed KidCare expansion leaves thousands of children in coverage limbo

Like many parents, Tatiana Lafortune wants her children to get a good education, eat nutritious food, and see a doctor when they’re not feeling well.

Public schools and her church’s pantry help with the first two. But insurance to cover doctor visits has been the most difficult to secure.

As nursing assistants near Tampa, Lafortune and her husband cannot afford employer coverage and earn too much for subsidized coverage through Florida KidCare.

Unable to afford KidCare’s full-price premium, she purchased a marketplace plan with higher out-of-pocket costs and no dental coverage.

“KidCare is better for children,” she said. “But at least I have something for them.”

In 2023, Florida lawmakers unanimously approved expanding KidCare eligibility to cover more than 40,000 additional children, but the expansion has not taken effect despite federal approval.

Instead, implementation has been stalled by lawsuits and ongoing disputes between the state and federal regulators.

“I don’t know what they’re waiting for,” Lafortune said. “They should see people in Florida have needs.”

Entitlement vs. Personal Responsibility

At issue is a federal rule requiring 12 months of continuous coverage for children enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP programs, including Florida KidCare.

Florida has challenged the rule in court and delayed its planned expansion, while continuing to disenroll children for unpaid premiums.

Advocates argue the delay may violate federal law and undermines child health coverage.

“It’s something that goes back to this mentality of people needing to pull themselves up by their bootstraps,” said Melanie Andrade Williams of the Florida Health Justice Project.

Health policy advocates also note Florida’s position conflicts with broader efforts to improve child wellness and reduce uninsured rates.

Florida and Texas have among the nation’s highest numbers of uninsured children.

Choosing Between School Supplies and Health Insurance

According to Florida Healthy Kids Corp., roughly 43,000 children lost subsidized coverage after parents missed premium payments.

Advocates say missed payments often occur when families must choose between essentials like school supplies, holiday expenses, and health insurance.

“You have working parents here who are struggling and they have to choose between their child’s school supplies and their health insurance,” said Joan Alker of Georgetown University.

Meanwhile, lawmakers recently redirected $32 million in KidCare surplus funds to the general fund, drawing criticism as expansion remains stalled.

The proposed expansion would raise income eligibility and provide more affordable, comprehensive coverage than many ACA marketplace plans, including dental and vision benefits.

For families like Lafortune’s, the delay has real consequences as insurance costs continue to rise.

“I tried to get something cheaper, but it’s not like I cannot have it,” she said. “I have to do something.”

As legal challenges continue, advocates say thousands of children remain at risk of losing or lacking affordable coverage.

“Children are the ones who are going to replace everyone here,” Lafortune said. “When you give them opportunities — for their health, for school, to eat — you make your country healthy and better.”

Adapted from reporting by KFF Health News.

Read the full article at KFF Health News