STORIES
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STORIES
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Medicaid | The Lived Experience:
Former Foster Care Children
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) provided coverage for youth aging out of foster care until age 26 (“Former Foster Care” Medicaid). This critical coverage for young adults mirrors the ACA provision allowing children to stay on their parents’ health insurance plan until age 26.
But prior to January 2021, the process for application resulted in former foster care children losing their Medicaid. Shockingly, as of July 2020 only 67 children were in the program.
The STORIES, Information and Issues
Miami, Florida
Foster children are entitled to healthcare - Medicaid - until age 26 in Florida. But, no one told Japheth. He found himself with thousands of dollars in medical debt and went without proper care for serious medical conditions until now.
3/31/2021
Media coverage of the state of Florida responding to the demand letter by fixing the problem through newly enacted legislation and making it clear that former foster children qualify for Medicaid to age 26.
5/5/2020
The Florida Health Justice Project (FHJP), the National Health Law Program (NHeLP) and the University of Miami Children and Youth Law Clinic sent the state a detailed “demand letter” describing the problem and requesting corrective action. The state responded positively.
Read STORIES Of Other Floridians
Relying On Medicaid
Share Your Story
Let your voice be heard! Please contact us:
- If you are a former foster care child who has benefited from Medicaid coverage to age 26.
- or -- If you are a former foster care child who lost your Medicaid coverage prior to your 26th birthday.
Sharing your story --in your words and your voice-- is essential. Together we'll help the public, the media and policymakers understand how important Medicaid is for Floridians and their families.
Share Your Story | Soapboxx Video
In partnership with the National Health Law Program (NHeLP), we are using the Soapboxx video recording app to create short testimonials about how Medicaid has impacted you or a family member.
Using your cell phone, tablet or computer, create a 20-90 second video about your experience with Medicaid. It's simple, easy and quick to do.
Sharing your story on video will serve as a powerful advocacy tool to help educate the public, the media and policymakers in understanding how important Medicaid is for Floridians and their families.
Learn How To Record Your Video
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"The Lived Experience" of Medicaid recipients and their families.
The Florida Health Justice Project, a nonprofit organization, recognizes that access to quality and affordable health care is a human right and engages in comprehensive advocacy to expand health care access and promote health equity for vulnerable Floridians.
A COPY OF THE OFFICIAL REGISTRATION AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION MAY BE OBTAINED FROM THE DIVISION OF CONSUMER SERVICES BY CALLING TOLL FREE WITHIN THE STATE AT 1-800-435-7352 . IT CAN ALSO BE FOUND AT WWW.800HELPFLA.COM. REGISTRATION DOES NOT IMPLY ENDORSEMENT, APPROVAL OR RECOMMENDATIONS BY THE STATE.