Florida’s Kidcare Cuts: 22,000 Children Lose Coverage Amid Legal Battle

According to recently shown data, Florida dismissed almost 22,000 children from KidCare in the last four months because their parents did not pay their premiums. KidCare is a program that provides subsidized health insurance to children.

This is despite new federal protections prohibiting states from doing so. The newest news comes as Florida is disputing the new federal protections. A hearing was held in Tampa on Thursday. Meanwhile, critics claim the state is operating as if it has already won the lawsuit, eliminating thousands of children from coverage.

Erin Booth is concerned that her kid will join the growing number of youngsters who are losing access to KidCare. Booth said they rely largely on that coverage. “He goes to the orthopedic. He sees the neurologist. “Now he sees a gastroenterologist and a urologist,” Booth added, rattling off the mounting medical expenditures.

Her 8-year-old son Landon has been in remission for the past year after being diagnosed with leukemia in March 2021.

“We mustn’t lose any medical coverage,” Booth went on to say. “I hate to say it, but you might have relapsed with only one blood test. If you skipped just one appointment. Leukemia is a life-threatening disease. Acute leukemia develops quickly.

Landon lost his Medicaid eligibility on Easter Sunday. He is one of thousands of children affected by the state’s unraveling process of withdrawing coverage following the outbreak.

Booth now fears they will lose coverage again, this time from KidCare, a subsidized children’s health insurance program (CHIP) utilized by many people who are not qualified for Medicaid.

Data reveal that Florida is violating new federal rules that require states to offer 12 months of continuous coverage in the Medicaid or CHIP programs and prohibit states from disenrolling children for failure to pay premiums during that year. Since January 1, Florida has dropped 22,576 children due to delinquent premiums.

Booth charges 280 dollars each month.

“I’m not sure how I’ll pay next month. So, I can’t fathom babies being dropped like that,” Booth explained. Florida is the sole state fighting the new federal rule. A judge ordered Thursday morning that the state and federal governments prepare a tentative order for the court to evaluate by the end of April.

If Florida wins, it might set a precedent that affects children’s care nationally.