DCF

The waivers aim to reduce the risk of eligible families losing Medicaid coverage due to procedural errors.

Florida has dropped several hundred thousand people, by far the most among states. DCF said it makes between five and 13 contact attempts, including texts, emails and phone calls.

The pandemic forced states to not kick anyone off the Medicaid rolls. That ended in April. But many of those booted from the program now scramble to retain their eligibility.

Although the pandemic health emergency ended this week, states could begin reviewing Medicaid eligibility six weeks ago. It's been a confusing process to reapply, but help is available for Floridians.

Now that pandemic protections are expiring, millions of Floridians will have to reapply for Medicaid and some could lose coverage. But families don't have to go through the process alone.

States were not allowed to kick people off Medicaid during the pandemic even if they no longer qualified. As of April 1, they can. Health policy experts fear some people who remain eligible could still lose coverage during the process.

During an event in Florida’s Old Capitol, the hoops legend asked a group of high school athletes to talk about pressures they face and told them,"What’s important is to know that there are resources to help,”

Florida has seen a spike in enrollment since the pandemic began, and the agency responsible for enrolling and disenrolling people is swamped.

Other states have taken similar action to help those who are transitioning out of state custody during the health crisis.

Gov. Ron DeSantis, first lady Casey DeSantis and child-welfare advocates warned Friday about the toll the COVID-19 pandemic is taking on some…