Florida congregations continue efforts to expand children's health insurance

October 16, 2009

As job losses mount in Florida, the number of children who are uninsured but eligible for Florida's SCHIP program - KidCare - (now at 550,000 statewide) continues to grow. 

On October 16, faith leaders from the four PICO federations in Florida met with Florida KidCare Director, Rich Robleto; Governor Charlie Crist's Chief of Staff for Health Care, David Foy; Legislative Affairs Director for the Governor, Amanda Praytor; and Legislative Affairs Director for AHCA, James McFaddin, to discuss creative ways to meet the growing need for affordable children's health insurance.

Despite the growing need, new KidCare legislation passed in the spring of 2009, with the support of PICO Florida and child health allies, has reduced waiting periods for families to enroll or re-enroll, resulting in more than 25,000 additional children being added to the program this year alone.  Another step towards streamlining the application process - electronic income eligibility - is also being implemented, pending signed agreements between Healthy Kids Corporation and the Agency for Health Care Administration.

PICO leaders are researching ways enrollment can continue to be expanded to meet the increasing need through registering children when they are enrolling in other federal programs. In some states, enrollment for childcare can also enroll for health insurance. When questioned about this, Rich Robleto responded that the State is working to have a central point for agencies to verify income and would be interested in looking at common enrollment points. 

To follow up from this meeting, PICO Florida leaders plan to meet with legislators in their home districts and follow-up with Robleto on costs and legislative approval for a single point of access.

For more information about PICO in Florida, visit www.focusorlando.org