HHS Approves Program for Children with Life-Threatening Conditions

Low-income children in Florida, who have life-threatening conditions, and their families will soon have access to a new set of benefits to help them with their unique needs, according to an announcement today by HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt.

Secretary Leavitt approved an innovative new Medicaid model of care for children that will add special respite care and counseling for families to the package of curative and palliative care critically ill children already receive under the Medicaid program.

Traditionally, Medicaid did not offer needed respite services to family members providing what can be intensive at-home services to critically ill children, nor did the program offer family counseling. The new program will not require children to be in the last six months of life for families to receive the counseling and respite services.

"I am approving this new Medicaid program in Florida because I believe we must do everything possible to lighten the heavy burden on families of children who may be near the end of their lives." said Secretary Leavitt. "This is a step beyond traditional hospice rules, and the right thing to do for these most vulnerable children and their families." ...

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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services

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