Insure FL's Children

Urge Senators to Support SB 918

Florida ranks third in the nation with the highest number of uninsured children. Approximately 700,000 children are uninsured in Florida and 72% are estimated to be eligible for coverage under one of the KidCare programs. Florida would qualify for federal bonus dollars IF the state streamlines the enrollment and retention procedures and increases enrollment for low income children.

Florida's children are waiting to be insured.

Please click to TAKE ACTION and/or pick up the phone to contact the following senators:

Senator Don Gaetz, Chair        850 488-5009
Senator Thad Altman               850 487-5053
Senator Mikd Bennett              850 487-5078
Senator Andy Gardiner             850 487-5047
Senator Dennis Jones              850 487-5065

Senator Eleanor Sobel             850-487-5097
Senator Dave Aronberg            850-487-5356
Senator Al Lawson                  850-487-5004

(Thanks to the Florida Child Health Care Coalition for the information contained in this alert.)

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Support SB 918

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

I am writing to urge you to support SB 918.

With this bill, Florida would be in a better position to receive performance bonus payments under the Child Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act passed by Congress.

With this bill, states that streamline their enrollment and retention procedures and increase enrollment of low income children will receive a federal bonus for each additional child enrolled.

With this bill, Florida's federal allocations in future years would increase based on achieving the benchmarks established under CHIP.

Finally, the bill will help Florida to maximize available federal funds.

Please do all you can to cover Florida's children starting with supporting SB 918.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
March 30, 2009

Background Information

Overview of How SB 918 and HB 1329
Fix KidCare Administration

Improves retention rates by reducing the wait period for late premium payments from 60 days to 30 days.
Decreases the wait period for children with other insurance from 6 months to 2 months with good cause exceptions to the wait period.
Implements electronic verification of income when possible
Provides for continuous eligibility in Medicaid as it is in other KidCare programs to help eligible children maintain coverage.
Creates a seamless transition – continuity of coverage – from Medicaid to other KidCare programs without interrupting coverage by providing presumptive eligibility and up to 60 days for families to adjust to premium payments.