Florida CFO Patronis Issues Statement on Hurricane Michael

TALLAHASSEE, Florida, Oct. 17 -- The Florida Department of Financial Services issued the following statement by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis on the recommended measures for Hurricane Michael healthcare assistance from the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation:

"It has been one week since Hurricane Michael devastated the Panhandle and I have been on the ground hearing heartbreaking stories of families in need of help.

"As Chair of the Florida Healthy Kids Corporation, the board must waive premiums for the over 5,600 children in the Children's' Health Insurance Program and full pay enrollees in the storm affected areas. This could save lives and help these families rebuild after this catastrophic storm.

"Governor Scott fully supports this recommendation and I applaud his leadership in this effort. We must do everything we can to ensure that children impacted by Hurricane Michael have access to healthcare without more financial burden on their families."