KidCare Enrollment Spikes, But Advocates Say Reforms Are Still Needed
Nov 27, 2007
KidCare officials kicked off an outreach campaign in late summer designed to reach children eligible for the state's health insurance plan for working families. These efforts are beginning to work, as enrollment has increased by 1.2 % (nearly 16,000 children) since July.
The Legislature inreased funding for KidCare by $18 million in the regular session last spring, and then added another $1.1 million during the budget-cutting special session in September. However, a bill that would have delivered needed reforms removing barriers to re-enrollment and making it easier for eligible families to get coverage died in the Senate during the regular session.
CIVIC has joined many other advocates in calling for increased funding and administrative reforms for KidCare. CIVIC gathered more than 3000 signatures on a petition in September urging action on KidCare during the special session. When the legislation is up for consideration in the upcoming legislative session, we'll again help our members make their voices heard in Tallahassee.