Castor Alleges DeSantis Broke Federal Law, Booted 22,000 Kids From Healthcare

Representative Kathy Castor (D-FL) is calling out Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) for allegedly disregarding federal law concerning Florida’s child health care program, “Kidcare.” Rep. Castor alleges that the State of Florida disenrolled over 22,000 children from the program.

The Florida congresswoman called the program a “vital reform” that the Florida governor is rejecting.

“Governor DeSantis is throwing Florida kids off of the children’s health care program (‘CHIP’ or ‘Kidcare’ in Florida) and erecting barriers that keep kids from the doctor’s office in violation of federal law,” said Rep. Castor. “On January 1, 2024, a new federal protection for children went into effect nationwide: continuous eligibility for Medicaid and CHIP coverage for children for 12 months. This means that once children are determined eligible for Medicaid or CHIP anywhere across the nation, they keep their health coverage for an entire year. It is a vital reform that is being celebrated across America – except by Florida’s governor.”

She continued by mentioning the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 as her reasoning for why the governor’s decision goes against the law.

“Yet, Governor DeSantis does not seem to care about violating the law or taking care of Florida’s kids,” said Rep. Castor. “His Administration has disenrolled 22,576 children from KidCare since January 1, 2024, for failing to pay premiums despite explicit instructions to the contrary. Florida is the only state in the country that is brazenly disregarding the new federal protection for children. I have been contacted by parents whose sick children have been dropped from KidCare and can’t receive the timely health services they need. This should not be happening.”

Finally, Castor lambasted DeSantis for bringing litigation against the Biden administration to combat the provision.

“At the same time, the State of Florida is suing the Biden administration to overturn this 12-month protection for children nationwide, simply because they don’t want to follow the law. This has led to a delay in the expansion of KidCare to children up to 300% of the federal poverty threshold, which is estimated to provide coverage to an additional 165,000 Florida children in five years,” said the Florida congresswoman. “The Governor and his administration are trying to twist the narrative but don’t believe them: they are violating the law and harming children and families.”

Congresswoman Castor represents Florida’s 14^th District.