Gov. Doug Ducey wants the state to start picking up some of the costs of providing health care for more than 32,000 children of the working poor.
The governor is asking the Republican-controlled legislature to repeal a 2017 law that says the state will stop enrolling children in the KidsCare program once the federal government no longer picks up the entire tab.
Christina Corieri, the governor's health policy adviser, said the move makes financial sense.
"If this program isn't available, we risk those low-income working families either dropping out of the workforce altogether or dropping their hours and ask that they qualify for AHCCCS. We want to support them in their work,” he said.
In addition to repealing the law, Ducey wants legislators to also provide $2 million for the coming fiscal year and $9 million after that to make up the difference for what the federal government will no longer fund beginning in September.
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