For some kids in Florida getting the checkups and vaccinations required to go back to school is a struggle. Hundreds of thousands of children in Florida don’t have health coverage. A state program providing low cost health insurance is available for all Floridians, but some families still don’t know about it.

Tamara Campbell and Madison Geohegan are track athletes. Their mom Charlotte wants to make sure they’re ready to start the school year running.

“My children are needing physicals. I’ve come to have their bodies examined and their eyes looked at.”

Pediatrician Judy St. Petery examines Tamara’s eyes and throat. St. Petery says it’s important for kids to have yearly check ups.

“We look in pediatrics at developmental issues. Does your child have any special needs like speech or hearing, we’ll look at is their growth normal. Can they hear? Can they see? Cause you’ve got to be able to do that to see the black board and learn.”

But before kindergarten or 7th grade students can get in the classroom, they have to have several immunization shots. This year a 2nd chickenpox shot is required for kindergarteners. Some have a harder time paying for their shots than others.

There are more than 750,000 kids in Florida who don’t have health care coverage. A state program to provide health insurance to kids based on their parents’ income has been expanded to cover all uninsured children.

Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink chairs the board overseeing KidCare.

“We can help these kids have access to regular doctor’s visits and dental checkups and immunizations.”

The average monthly cost of for KidCare is about 20 bucks. Some families are eligible for free coverage.

You can sign up for the KidCare program online. We’ve linked their website to ours. Just click on “As Seen On” at the top of our homepage.