On Thursday, March 17, Governor Rick Scott signed HB 5101 into law, thereby lifting the five-year waiting period for lawfully residing immigrant children to receive subsidized CHIP and Medicaid through Florida KidCare. This makes Florida the 31st state to take advantage of the provision known as the Legal Immigrant Children’s Health Improvement Act passed into law as part of the reauthorization of CHIP in 2009. For seven years since the unwavering efforts of former Congressman Lincoln Diaz Balart from Florida and 16 other Representatives, advocates have sought to bring this provision to Florida.
So what changed in 2016? There were many factors at play, but a major turning point was undoubtedly the increase in Florida’s federal match to 95 percent as part of the adoption of an enhanced CHIP matching rate (known as the “CHIP bump”) last year when the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act (MACRA) was enacted. This, coupled with estimated savings from the Emergency Medical Assistance Trust Fund, resulted in new projections ranging from no cost to a savings to the state, a considerable shift given that the Agency for Health Care Administration (AHCA) had given the bill a fiscal note of $500 million just three years ago.
- Advocates who refused to give up and who repeatedly challenged cost estimates, who rewrote the legislation to make clear that only documented children were being served to calm growing anti-immigrant sentiments, and who grew the coalition of supporters to include influential faith-based, civic and business leaders. These leaders called on leadership to enact the provision, with Speaker Crisafulli making this a surprise top priority on the opening day of Session.
- Passionate sponsors, now in rising positions as powerful committee chairmen, who made this a key priority and excelled at personal story telling. The House sponsor, Representative Jose Felix Diaz got very emotional during his committee testimony when he shared that his life had completely changed upon the birth of his first child, and who stated emphatically that “We always have to put children first!” Similarly, Senator Rene Garcia stated repeatedly that “NO child should ever be without health insurance.”
To be sure, ALL of these factors helped to create great synergy and build momentum, which led to a remarkable accomplishment for the children of Florida who have been waiting for seven years, and who deserve nothing less.
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During the 2014 Florida legislative session, HB 7 and SB 282 have made incredible strides towards becoming a reality. Now that progress is being threatened by a very vocal minority that have urged your representatives to vote against the bill. With so many young lives at stake, none of us can afford to wait on the sidelines any longer.
There are approximately 20,000 legally residing children who currently must wait FIVE years before they are allowed access to Florida KidCare. In that time, these families must attempt the impossible task of avoiding all illness or providing their child with quality health care. Unfortunately, the consequences of the five year wait are as unavoidable as they are devastating. These children are less likely to see a doctor, far more likely to have unmet medical needs, and significantly more likely to miss several days of school. Setbacks which don’t allow for kids to reach their full potential during these crucial years of development.
Join KidsWell Florida and take action on behalf of approx. 20,000 innocent children who are legally present in Florida. Click here to send an email to your legislator and ask them to act in the best interest of these kids.
Right now, neither HB 7 nor SB 282 is slated to be heard or considered. The onus remains with the Florida House and Senate leadership to agenda the issue and ultimately pass it into law. However, the responsibility of pressuring these legislators to act falls to you and me.
This week, Florida’s elected leaders have returned to their districts for a break from session. It will never be easier to make sure your voice gets heard. You can call or visit their local office, or click here to send an instant email in support of HB 7 and SB 282.
Don’t wait to act while 20,000 deserving children continue to wait for the care they need!
YOU CAN ALSO…
- Click here to watch our YouTube video and learn more about SB 282 and HB 7
- Visit our website and join KidsWell Florida’s subscription list!
- KidsWell Florida is on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us / “Like” us and help us spread information, receive notice about calls to action and other important updates on this issue.
- Download these talking points (English and Spanish) to share or use when you contact or speak with your legislative contacts and community leaders.
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Thanks to the relentless commitment of advocates and concerned Floridians like you, last week, SB 282 passed through the Senate Health Policy Committee. Despite this major victory, there is still work to be done to reach our goal of insuring more of Florida’s children. If the bill’s progress is stopped now, approximately 25,000 legally residing children willstill be forced to endure a five year wait before they are eligible to enroll in Florida KidCare.
Making sure SB 282 and HB 7 are heard by the Senate and House Appropriations subcommittees, respectively, is the next and very crucial step to expanding access for these kids. During the five years legally residing children are forced to wait, they are less likely to see a doctor, far more likely to have unmet medical needs, and significantly more likely to miss several days of school.
Join KidsWell Florida in the fight to eliminate the 5 year waiting period for legally residing immigrant children and contact your legislators today!
The official estimate of the cost of extending coverage to these children is about $19 million in state funds, less than ¼ of 1 percent of the state’s share of the health care budget. However, children’s health experts believe that even the $19 million figure is too high, with the true price tag easily coming in at less than half that amount. The official state estimates assumes that every newly eligible child will immediately enroll in coverage, but Florida’s past experience with expansions of coverage shows that this is a highly unrealistic expectation.
Help us get these bills heard and passed through the next committee. Please call or e-mail members of the Florida House Health Care Appropriations Subcommittee and the Florida Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Services and ask them to do the right thing for so many of Florida’s children.
House Speaker Weatherford and Senate President Gaetz also play a pivotal role in the success of these bills. Click here to send a quick email letting them know how important this issue is to you and to Florida.
YOU CAN ALSO…
- Click here to watch a YouTube video and learn more about SB 282 and HB 7
- Visit our website and join KidsWell Florida’s subscription list!
- Spread the word on this issue and legislation with your networks. KidsWell Florida is on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us / “Like” us and help us spread information, receive notice about calls to action and other important updates on this issue.
- Download these talking points (English and Spanish) to share or use when you contact or speak with your legislative contacts and community leaders.
Together, we can make this happen!
by ]]>Support SB 282 and Help Secure Health Care Access for More of Florida’s Children!
Thanks to the active support and engagement of Floridians, like you, members of the Health Innovation Subcommittee in the Florida House voted unanimously in favor of House Bill 7! While this is a great first step, there is still a long way to go to ensure that approximately 25,000 of Florida’s lawfully residing immigrant children have access to high-quality, affordable health care.
Thanks to your tireless efforts, Chair Aaron Bean has put Senator Garcia’s SB 282 on Tomorrow’s agenda of the Health Policy Committee. Please call and thank Chair Bean for doing so.
SB 282 by Sen. Rene Garcia will be heard Tomorrow, March 25 at 2:00 PM in the Senate Health Policy Committee Room 412, Knott Building.
Currently, legally residing immigrant children are forced to wait 5 years before becoming eligible for Florida KidCare, our state’s subsidized health care program for children. By removing this 5-year ban, Senator Garcia’s bill will expand health care coverage to approximately 25,000 children.
Please join KidsWell Florida and help us make sure that our state’s lawmakers pass Senate Bill 282 during Florida’s 2014 legislative session. Click here to send a powerful message to your legislators BEFORE they vote at 2:00 pm Tomorrow, Tuesday, March 25th. Please contact the following members of the Senate Health Policy Committee NOW to let them know how important this bill is to you:
Senator Eleanor Sobel (D-Hollywood)
Senator Jeff Brandes (R-St. Petersburg)
Senator Oscar Braynon, II (D-Miami Gardens)
Senator Anitere Flores (R-Miami)
Senator Bill Galvano (R-Bradenton)
Senator Denise Grimsley (R-Sebring)
Senator Arthenia L. Joyner (D-Tampa)
YOU CAN ALSO…
- Click here to watch a YouTube Video and learn more about House Bill 7.
- Visit our website and and join KidsWell Florida’s Subscription List!
- Spread the word on this issue and legislation with your networks. KidsWell Florida is on Facebook and Twitter. Follow us / ”Like” us and help us spread information, receive notice about calls to action and other important updates on this issue.
- Download these talking points (English and Spanish) to share or use when you contact or speak with your legislative contacts and community leaders.
Together, we can make this happen!
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