More Florida children will soon have easier access to state-subsidized health insurance.
Gov. Charlie Crist signed a bill Tuesday that shortens the time families must wait before switching to KidCare after losing private coverage. It also allows a family that had KidCare dropped for failure to pay to get back into the system more quickly.
Florida KidCare includes the Healthy Kids program, which subsidizes insurance for low-income families through state and federal funds.
Nearly 176,000 children are enrolled in Healthy Kids, which subsidizes the cost of health insurance to families who make up to 200 percent of the federal poverty limit. That's $44,000 a year for a family of four.
Medical News
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'Uninsurables' at risk as states fear losing health aid
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'Rapid strides': Advances offer hope for amputees
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Report questioning salt guidelines riles heart experts
An unusual medical brawl erupted on Tuesday when the influential Institute of Medicine issued a report questioning the basis of years of advice for Americans to cut their salt intake in half. -
Chris Christie's weight-loss procedure doesn't always work
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Caffeinated gum raises health buzz
A new line of caffeinated chewing gum is causing jitters among health advocates and prompting federal officials to take a new look at the proliferation of jolt-infused foods, including those marketed to children and teens.
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Dr. Oz's tips for losing those last 10 pounds
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How First Lady won over Miss. on school lunches
Despite its deeply red political leanings, it was Mississippi that early on embraced the first lady’s ideas about healthy food, and was the site where Mrs. Obama kicked off a two day, three-city tour touting the three-year anniversary of her “Let’s Move” initiative, which encourages kids to get and stay fit.
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Anger may raise heart attack risk, study finds
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Just one daily soda can raise diabetes risk
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Gut bugs linked to heart attacks, strokes
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12 school football players die each year, study finds
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NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Removing metals from the body through a controversial treatment has little effect on the long-term health of people who've previously suffered a heart attack, according to the results of a government-funded trial released Tuesday.
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Brisk walk may be as good as a run, study finds
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Smart jocks: Fit kids do better at math, reading
Forget the old high school clichés about athletes not doing as well academically as less sporty kids -- a new study shows that children who exercise more do better in math, reading tests.
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Seeing green might make your workout better
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No time to exercise? Try 10-minute workouts
The procrastinators, the super-busy, and the easily bored in pursuit of a manageable fitness routine may find what they seek in the 10-minute workout.
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Stressed? Exercise may help ward off anxiety
Exercise not only improves mood, it may help people maintain reduced anxiety in the face of stressful or emotional events, a new study says.
