Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2023-24

The Governor's Budget Recommendation for Fiscal Year 2023-2024 includes $166,263,573 to realign and adjust expenditures
in the KidCare Program based on enrollment projections agreed upon at the August 4, 2022, Social Services Estimating
Conference (SSEC).  The KidCare Program (Title XXI of the Social Security Act) is the state's Children's Health Insurance
Program (CHIP) for uninsured, low-income children under the age of 19 with family incomes up to 200 percent of the
federal poverty level. KidCare consists of four programs: MediKids, Florida Healthy Kids (FHK), Children's Medical
Services Network (CMSN), and Medicaid for Kids.

The caseload and expenditures for the program are forecasted through a consensus process by the principals of the SSEC.
The forecasts are based on historical information, trends, caseload growth, utilization, the federal financial
participation rate, and anticipated events and assume that current law and current administrative practices are in effect
unless otherwise decided by the conference or law. A workload adjustment is necessary in order to allow the KidCare
Program to continue each fiscal year as it is currently administered without reduction of services or reduction of
coverage for persons who are covered at the option of the state.

Justification
Governor's Recommendations 2023-24

These estimated expenditures are operating appropriations authorized by the Legislature in the prior year General
Appropriations Act, adjusted for items vetoed by the Governor, appropriations based on contingencies that did not occur,
and appropriations provided in substantive bills that were passed in the 2022 Legislative Session.  Substantive bills are
bills other than the General Appropriations Act.