‘Startling’ report issued on Florida’s rise in uninsured children

ORLANDO, Fla. — The number of uninsured children in the United States has increased for the first time in nearly a decade, according to a new report by Georgetown University's Center for Children and Families. More troubling, some of the highest rates are being seen in Florida.

“The rate of uninsured children in Florida rose from 6.6% in 2016 to 7.3% in 2017,” explained Marni Stahlman, whose non-profit Shepherd’s Hope provides medical care to people around Orlando who have no or inadequate insurance.

She reacted to the report’s findings, calling it “startling” during a time of economic strength in this country.

“Florida and Texas lead the list because we have refused to expand Medicaid and children has lost their coverage,” she added.

Under President Obama's Affordable Care Act, Florida could have received federal funding to help pay for health coverage for nearly 900,000 people, but the Republican-led Legislature voted against it, according to the Associated Press.