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For some kids in Florida getting the checkups and vaccinations required to go back to school is a struggle. Hundreds of thousands of children in Florida don�t have health coverage. As Whitney Ray tells us, a state program providing low cost health insurance is available for all Floridians, but some families still don�t know about it.

Hear it Here: State Offers Assistance For Back-to-School Check Ups

Tamara Campbell and Madison Geohegan are track athletes. Their mom Charlotte wants to make sure they�re ready to start the school year running.

�My children are needing physicals. I�ve come to have their bodies examined and their eyes looked at,� said Charlotte.

Pediatrician Judy St. Petery examines Tamara�s eyes and throat. St. Petery says it�s important for kids to have yearly check ups.

�We look in pediatrics at developmental issues. Does your child have any special needs like speech or hearing, we�ll look at is their growth normal. Can they hear? Can they see? Cause you�ve got to be able to do that to see the black board and learn,� said Petery.

But before kindergarten or 7th grade students can get in the classroom, they have to have several immunization shots. This year a 2nd chickenpox shot is required for kindergarteners. Some have a harder time paying for their shots than others.

There are more than 750,000 kids in Florida who don�t have health care coverage. A state program to provide health insurance to kids based on their parents� income has been expanded to cover all uninsured children. Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink chairs the board that helps families sign up for KidCare.

�We can help these kids have access to regular doctor�s visits and dental checkups and immunizations,� said Sink.

The average monthly cost of for KidCare is about 20 bucks� Some families are eligible for free coverage. You can sign up for the KidCare program online at www.floridakidcare.org.