Because of the Affordable Care Act, for the first time starting January 2014, insurance companies will be prohibited from denying health coverage for the up to 129 million Americans – including up to 7.8 million adults and children in Florida – with pre-existing conditions, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Florida has the fourth highest number of individuals… Read more »

A report today shows that states fully participating in the expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act have significantly boosted access to medical care for their citizens. The report states that applications increased by 15 percent in October compared to the average monthly enrollment in July – September. “While other states have put their tax dollars to work to provide… Read more »

Florida families and individuals will benefit from a broad range of new health insurance options and lower than expected rates in the new Health Insurance Marketplace that will open next week. Rates in Florida are lower than expected and new tax credits for middle class families will help make health insurance even more affordable, according to today’s announcement by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. "This is great news for our neighbors across the Tampa Bay area and all Floridians. Low rates and a wide range of choices will be a godsend to families. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor sent the attached letter to Gov. Rick Scott and Florida Surgeon General John Armstrong regarding yesterday’s decision by the Florida Department of Health to block navigators from local health department offices. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) held an Affordable Care Act question-and-answer session today for small businesses at the University of South Florida Small Business Development Center. Attendees learned from experts about the Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP), a marketplace where employers will be able to choose from a range of affordable plans to offer their employees. With the ability to join a large pool through SHOP, small businesses will now have access to the same types of quality, affordable coverage that only large firms have today. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) released the statement below following U.S. Secretary of Health & Human Services Kathleen Sebelius’ announcement in Tampa today of a major grant to the University of South Florida (USF) as part of the $67 million awarded across the country to “navigators,” who will help consumers and small businesses shop for and enroll in the health insurance marketplace beginning Oct. 1: Read more »

Today, U.S. Representative Kathy Castor (D- Tampa/St. Petersburg) released new statistics demonstrating sustained progress of the Affordable Care Act for Tampa Bay area families. Read more »

Today, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor joined with Pat Mabe, CEO of the Community Health Centers of Pinellas to announce that community health centers across the state of Florida received a total of $8.1 million to help enroll Floridians in the new health insurance marketplace and spread the word about other insurance options available to our neighbors. The Tampa Bay community received over $930,000 to assist our neighbors. Nationwide, $150 million was awarded to over 1,000 health centers. Read more »

During today’s House proceedings, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor (D-Tampa/St. Petersburg, FL) highlighted how small businesses, young adults, seniors and children have already benefited from the Affordable Care Act that Republicans want to repeal for the 37th time Read more »

Un nuevo reporte dice que en el 2014, mas de 1.7 millones de residentes de la Florida serán elegibles para créditos de impuestos. Los créditos ayudarán a estos residentes pagar por su seguro de salud. Read more »