skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

FL Group Works to Keep Eligible People on Medicaid

play audio
Play

Thursday, March 16, 2023   

As Florida "unwinds" from the COVID-19 public health emergency and returns its Medicaid program to pre-pandemic rules, there's a possibility that older people - in addition to children - could lose their coverage even if they're still eligible.

Senior advocates are calling attention to Florida's "MEDS AD" program - or Medicaid for people who are older or have disabilities - and those receiving home and community-based services through a managed-care company, enrolled in what's called Long Term Care.

Miriam Harmatz, advocacy director and founder of the Florida Health Justice Project, said she's concerned that people who've not had to renew any of their eligibility paperwork since 2020 will be lost or confused when they receive notices in the mail.

"People have fallen through the cracks in the past, even though they're eligible," said Harmatz, "whether that's because they failed to get in verification as required, or it gets lost or there's a computer SNAFU. All of those things happen."

The DeSantis administration says it will return the Medicaid program to its pre-pandemic operations beginning April 1. That includes removing about 900,000 people the state says are no longer eligible, and who haven't used Medicaid-covered services.

Harmatz has been trying to get the word out, hosting Q&A sessions on her website for anyone whose coverage might be affected based on age or disability.

Harmatz said she's calling for more support for these groups, urging friends and families to assist them with navigating the termination notices in their mail to ensure they can properly reapply.

"And so it's critical that this population be getting special attention to insure every single one of them, because they are so vulnerable," said Harmatz. "Imagine if you've been getting these services and they just stop, especially if you're living alone."

The state says it will also begin efforts to re-determine Medicaid eligibility for another 850,000 Floridians who haven't provided their financial information during the pandemic.

Harmatz encouraged people to make sure their contact information is up-to-date on the Department of Children and Families website and be on the lookout for notices in the mail.



get more stories like this via email

more stories
The U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments this week about the popular abortion pill Mifepristone and will weigh in on whether the U.S. Food and Drug Administration was correct in how it can be dosed and prescribed. (Ascannio/Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Missouri residents are worried about future access to birth control. The latest survey from The Right Time, an initiative based in Missouri…


Social Issues

play sound

Wisconsin children from low-income families are now on track to get nutritious foods over the summer. Federal officials have approved the Badger …

Social Issues

play sound

Almost 2,900 people are unsheltered on any given night in the Beehive State. Gov. Spencer Cox is celebrating signing nine bills he says are geared …


The U.S. teaching workforce remains primarily white while the percentage of Black teachers has declined. However, the percentage of Asian and Latinx teachers is rising.(WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobestock)

Social Issues

play sound

Education advocates are calling on lawmakers to increase funding for programs to combat the teacher shortage. Around 37% of schools nationwide …

Environment

play sound

New York's Legislature is considering a bill to get clean-energy projects connected to the grid faster. It's called the RAPID Act, for "Renewable …

Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021