The DeSantis administration in Florida plans to reject the federal approval of the state’s plan to expand KidCare, the health insurance program for children. Despite a yearlong delay, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services accepted Florida’s application for a waiver, but with the condition that the state provides 12 months of continuous coverage. In response, the state’s Agency for Health Care Administration intends to request a 30-day delay on the waiver in order to allow the incoming Trump administration to review the policies. This decision has garnered criticism, with U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor calling it “cruel and short-sighted.”
KidCare provides low-cost health insurance to children whose families make too much money to qualify for Medicaid. The eligibility threshold was set to increase in 2023 to 300% of the federal poverty level, allowing more children to access coverage. However, the DeSantis administration’s lawsuit over a federal rule requiring a full year of continuous coverage for eligible children has caused delays and disenrollment of over half a million children.
Advocates like Lynn Hearn from the Florida Health Justice Project express concern over the impact on medically complex children who may not receive the specialized care they need as a result of the waiver dispute. Castor has criticized Governor DeSantis for hindering the expansion of KidCare, comparing his actions to “Ebenezer Scrooge.” The fate of the KidCare expansion now lies in the hands of the state administration, raising questions about the future of healthcare coverage for Florida’s children.
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