Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

US Sues FL Over Kids' Care

The Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, saying Florida has not done enough to improve the plight of severely disabled children, filed suit against the state Monday, the Miami Heraldreports. 

Parents of children who cannot survive without nursing care were given no meaningful option but to institutionalize them after the state cut back on in-home support, the lawsuit says.  Three years ago, the state cut $6 million from a home nursing service, even while paying more to nursing homes for pediatric service.

Liz Dudek, secretary of the Agency for Health Care Administration, responded with a defense of the state's accusation and accusation that federal officials  are trying to take over Florida's Medicaid and disability programs, the Herald reportedlater.

Originally founded in December 2006 as an independent grassroots publication dedicated to coverage of health issues in Florida, Health News Florida was acquired by WUSF Public Media in September 2012.