Gov. Ron DeSantis on Thursday signed 10 bills, including a measure that will expand eligibility for the KidCare subsidized health-insurance program.
The KidCare bill (HB 121), which passed unanimously during the legislative session that ended May 5, will revamp an income threshold for families.
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Under KidCare, families who do not qualify for Medicaid can pay $15 or $20 a month in premiums to insure children.
Subsidized coverage is available to families with incomes up to 200 percent of the federal poverty level, or about $60,000 for a family of four, according to a House staff analysis.
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The bill will increase that threshold to 300 percent of the federal poverty level, or $90,000 for a family of four.
It also will require the Florida Healthy Kids Corp. to establish a new income-based tier system for premiums paid by families.
House bill sponsors Robin Bartleman, D-Weston, and Dana Trabulsy, R-Fort Pierce, issued statements Thursday that said families have faced a dilemma of losing KidCare coverage if they earn more money.
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“Families in Florida are struggling,” Bartleman said. “They are struggling to put a roof over their head, pay for child care and put food on the table. They are also struggling to afford health care for their children — their most precious asset. This new law gives more of Florida’s working families access to health care and prevents the fear of losing coverage for their kids if they earn a few extra dollars.”
