Florida CFO Alex Sink today urged Florida’s families to make sure their children have health care coverage as new reforms to simplify and streamline Florida’s KidCare program went into effect today.
“In these tough times, we should make it as easy as possible for Florida’s families to get their children the heath care they need,” said Sink in a prepared statement. “I am so pleased that we were able to finally remove the unnecessary barriers that made it difficult for Florida’s kids to be enrolled and stay enrolled in Healthy Kids, and urge Floridians to make sure their children are covered.”
Sink, who chaired the Healthy Kids Board during her first 20 months in office, supported legislation sponsored by Sen. Nan Rich and Rep. Jimmy Patronis this spring, and has pushed for these reforms for three legislative sessions. The new law that goes into effect today will remove administrative barriers to the program and make changes to expedite enrollment with no additional funding required.
The Florida Healthy Kids program is a public-private partnership that allows Florida’s families to purchase health insurance for their children. Florida Healthy Kids is one of four components of the larger Florida KidCare program. Florida Healthy Kids coverage includes regular doctor visits, dental check-ups and immunizations.
For more information about enrollment in Florida KidCare, families can visit www.floridakidcare.org to apply on-line or call 1-888-540-5437 to receive an application by mail.