Florida’s KidCare Expansion Approved: A Major Victory for Cutting Florida Childhood Poverty in Half and a Big Win for Families and Economic Mobility

Expanded Eligibility Provides Thousands of Children Access to Affordable Health Insurance While Supporting Families Working Their Way Up the Economic Ladder

Florida’s KidCare Expansion Approved: A Major Victory for Cutting Florida Childhood Poverty in Half and a Big Win for Families and Economic Mobility
Expanded Eligibility Provides Thousands of Children Access to Affordable Health Insurance While Supporting Families Working Their Way Up the Economic Ladder

The Florida Chamber of Commerce applauds the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services’ (CMS) approval of Florida’s expansion of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), called KidCare. This is a pivotal milestone that will expand access to affordable health care for families across the state of Florida. This long-awaited decision raises the income eligibility limit for the KidCare program from 215% to 300% of the federal poverty level, increasing the income cap for a family of four from $64,500 to $90,000. As a result, thousands of hardworking Florida families who work will now have access to attainable health insurance for their children. According to TheFloridaScorecard.org, the number of children in poverty in Florida has been reduced from approximately 950,000 to 740,000, and this change will help these families in substantive ways.

Passed in 2023 through Florida House Bill 121 and championed by the Florida Chamber, this initiative flattens the fiscal cliffs, so a family doesn’t have to choose between a modest pay raise or losing essential benefits like health insurance for their children. By gradually phasing in expanded eligibility, Florida is ensuring that families can work their way up the economic ladder without jeopardizing their children’s health coverage and further mitigating the fiscal cliffs.

“Expanding access to health care is essential for building stronger families and is a key component in meeting the Florida 2030 Blueprint goals of cutting Florida childhood poverty in half and making Florida a top 5 state for overall well-being,” said Mark Wilson, President of the Florida Chamber of Commerce & Foundation. “This decision, in line with the Florida Chamber Foundation Prosperity Project Recommendations, is smart policy, ensuring families can focus on job skills and moving up the economic ladder without sacrificing their children’s health coverage.”

For years, the Florida Chamber Foundation’s Florida Prosperity Project has been highlighting the need to flatten fiscal cliffs, which reflects our commitment to reducing childhood poverty by half and fostering prosperity for all Floridians. Rooted in recommendations from the Florida Prosperity Project’s Less Poverty, More Prosperity: The Florida Fiscal Cliffs Report, this milestone underscores the power of data-driven policy and persistent focus.

“This decision is more than just a policy victory; it represents a meaningful step forward for Florida families striving for economic stability while safeguarding their children’s well-being,” said Kyle Baltuch, Executive Vice President of the Florida Chamber Foundation.

To learn more or get involved in the Florida Chamber Foundation Florida Prosperity Project’s efforts to cut Florida childhood poverty in half and secure a path to prosperity for all Floridians, click here.

Source: Florida Chamber of Commerce