In the past year, over 531,000 children in Florida have been removed from Medicaid, creating significant concerns for families reliant on the program, particularly those whose children have critical medical needs. The situation has become dire for families like the Sulzbaches from Coral Springs, whose daughter Maryanne requires continual medical care.

Maryanne’s Story: A Fight for Survival

Fourteen-year-old Maryanne Sulzbach has faced overwhelming health challenges from birth. Diagnosed with a rare blood vessel abnormality shortly after her birth, she experienced severe complications that resulted in a stroke, leaving her dependent on a ventilator to breathe.

“She’s an angel from God, so we love her,” said her mother, Sandra Sulzbach. The family has been navigating life with these challenges for years, relying on Medicaid for essential medical services until they were unexpectedly informed that Maryanne lost her coverage on May 1.

“It’s been devastating… we weren’t informed that they were going to cut it,” said father Jeffrey Sulzbach, explaining the immediate impact on their ability to afford necessary medications.

Financial Struggles Amidst Health Crises

Sandra expressed frustration about the eligibility criteria for Medicaid: “It seems they want you to live in poverty to qualify for assistance,” she remarked. The Sulzbaches, who rent their home, were told their income was too high for Maryanne to qualify for Medicaid, despite their mounting medical expenses.

“I’ve been using my 401K to help cover Maryanne’s needs, but funds are depleting,” Jeffrey shared, illustrating the financial strain of caring for a child with significant medical needs without state support.

The Broader Medicaid Crisis in Florida

According to Lynn Hearn from the Florida Health Justice Project, many families like the Sulzbaches are currently facing serious challenges. “Florida does not have a broad array of options for coverage for children with complex medical conditions,” she remarked, highlighting the impact of the loss of Medicaid coverage since a surge in enrollment during the pandemic.

The state’s changes came after federal protections that kept beneficiaries enrolled during the COVID-19 public health emergency ended. As states began reevaluating eligibility, many families suddenly found themselves disqualified.

Personal Narratives of Loss and Resilience

Similar struggles are echoed in the story of Jennifer Malqui, whose daughter Bianca requires ongoing therapy after undergoing cochlear implant surgery. Despite her efforts, Jennifer was informed in April that her daughter’s Medicaid coverage was also being terminated due to income criteria that she believes were based on outdated information. “I am a single mom of two… the cost of living is extremely high,” she explained.

Jennifer has since appealed the decision, hoping to retain the essential coverage her daughter needs.

Hope and Assistance for Families

Recently, the Florida Health Justice Project stepped in to assist the Sulzbaches, and in a positive turn of events, Maryanne’s Medicaid coverage was reinstated. “Families have the right to appeal decisions that impact their children’s health care coverage,” emphasized Hearn, underscoring the importance of advocacy in the face of bureaucracy.