PICO affiliate Federation of Congregations United to Serve (FOCUS) in Orlando held a town hall meeting on February 25 with Democratic and Republican state legislators around Florida's children health insurance program, KidCare.

Over 150 community members attended the event held at St. Andrew's Catholic Church, together with State Senator Gary Siplin, Representative Bryan Nelson, and Representative Geraldine Thompson. FOCUS leaders from St. Andrew's noted that Florida's KidCare program is an effective program for families who are not offered insurance through their employer or who cannot afford it, but that KidCare needs to be reformed so that families can get insurance for their children and keep it. 

Families shared testimony about having their applications lost in the system, losing coverage, and receiving contradictory information from state offices. One family described getting an acceptance letter one week, and an expiration notice the next week, since approval had taken so long. A pediatrician gave testimony describing how she has told patients to travel to other states to get treatment because the child would suffer in Florida waiting for coverage. 

FOCUS leaders asked for more and better outreach efforts; a simpler application process; seamless transition between programs that cover kids of different age groups; and continuous coverage through transitions. Senator Siplin, Representative Thompson and Representative Nelson all committed to making KidCare reform a priority this legislative session and to assisting FOCUS leaders in arranging meetings in Tallahassee. 

Members of FOCUS will travel to Tallahassee during the spring legislative session to meet with leaders and legislators who can influence the passage of KidCare reform legislation.

For more information, visit www.focusorlando.org