Between December 2024 and November 2025, approximately 43,000 children were dropped from KidCare, a state-subsidized health insurance program.
Federal data indicate that approximately 400,000 Florida children—nearly 8.5% of the state’s child population—have no health insurance. This is one of the highest rates in the United States.
The literature on health economics confirms that the benefits of early coverage far outweigh the program’s immediate costs. Analyses conducted by CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) and Medicaid show that children with health insurance enjoy better health, achieve higher levels of education, experience more favorable employment outcomes, and pay more in taxes over the course of their lives. Conversely, gaps in coverage lead to an increase in preventable hospitalizations, higher spending on specialized care, and greater use of emergency room services—all of which are among the most costly forms of medical intervention. Health coverage for children is one of the most cost-effective public investments.
The Root Causes
At the heart of the debate is a assistance program: Florida KidCare, created as part of the Children’s Health Insurance Program. KidCare is a public program that provides health insurance to children whose parents earn too much to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to enroll in employer-sponsored or other private insurance. Parents eligible for the program must pay a modest premium, ranging from approximately $15 to $200, depending on income. It was the failure to pay these premiums that led to the exclusion of approximately 43,000 children in a single year.
In 2023, lawmakers passed a bill raising the eligibility threshold to approximately $99,000 in annual income for a family of four. This would have allowed about 42,000 more children to benefit from this state-subsidized, low-cost health insurance program. The implementation of this law was blocked by the governor’s administration.
This block stems from an administrative and legal dispute between the Sunshine State and federal authorities. A federal regulation requires 12 months of continuous coverage for children enrolled in the program, even in the event of late premium payments. Florida is challenging this regulation in court, arguing that it limits the state’s ability to manage the program. Florida is the only state to violate the federal rule and terminate children’s health insurance coverage due to a failure to pay.
The federal government favors an approach based on continuity and preventive health care, while the Florida administration cites respect for state authority and short-term cost-effectiveness.
Lack of insurance is a major determinant of vulnerability that also exacerbates inequalities from the earliest years of life and undermines social cohesion.
N.B. TRANSLATED BY DEEPL
