Florida Governor Ron DeSantis Administration Delays Expansion of KidCare Program
The administration of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is facing scrutiny for delaying the implementation of a 2023 law intended to expand eligibility for the Florida KidCare program, a safety-net healthcare initiative for low-income children. Despite legislative approval, the administration has not provided clear answers on when the expansion will occur. This delay stems from an ongoing legal dispute between the governor's office and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), with Florida having filed at least three lawsuits against the federal agency. The core of the disagreement revolves around a federal requirement for continuous eligibility for children in Medicaid-funded healthcare programs, including KidCare. During a Joint Legislative Budget Commission meeting, state senators pressed officials from the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) for answers, but citing ongoing litigation, AHCA officials were unable to provide a timeline for resolution or expansion. Concerns were also raise...
