The coastline in Steinhatchee remains covered in debris on Oct. 3, 2024, following Hurricane Helene. (Photo Jay Waagmeester/Florida Phoenix)
Six health advocacy and labor-rights groups urged Gov. Ron DeSantis on Tuesday to work with the federal government to provide health care coverage for the people who lose their jobs during natural disasters.
As Floridians recover from Helene and Milton, the two major back-to-back hurricanes that wrought havoc along the state’s Gulf Coast, they will need access to the subsidized health insurance meant for low-income people, the groups argued in the letter to DeSantis and Jason Weida, secretary of the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration.
“The federal Medicaid program offers disaster flexibilities for precisely this type of moment,” wrote Alison Yager, Florida Health Justice Project’s executive director, in a statement. “Floridians need some reprieve from this series of disasters, and ongoing access to medical care is key to residents’ well-being, and to our recovery. The state should act immediately to ensure that residents don’t lose access to care while dealing with the immediate and long-term aftermath of these storms.”
During disasters, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services allow states to simplify the application process, provide uninterrupted coverage for a year for people with disabilities, and maintain coverage for folks who evacuated from the state, among other measures.
Following Hurricane Helene, more than 48,000 families in 22 counties won’t have to pay premiums for their children’s coverage through Florida KidCare in October. That program is meant for children aged 5-18 whose families earn too much to qualify for the traditional Medicaid program.
It’s not immediately clear whether the premiums will also be waived in light of Hurricane Milton. The chief marketing officer of Florida Healthy Kids did not immediately respond to Florida Phoenix’s request for comment.