TAMPA — When Caroline Hagan was approved for at-home nursing care, it was a blessing for her family.

The Lithia girl was born with Down syndrome, a congenital heart disease, hypothyroidism and a severe pediatric feeding disorder. She takes 15 medications every day, either through a feeding tube or a spray dispenser, and needs constant care.

In March, Medicaid administrators agreed with the girl’s doctor to increase her weekly in-home nursing schedule from 50 to 90 hours. One nurse accompanied her to school, while another took over at 3 p.m., allowing her mom, Alyssa Hagan, to work her full-time administrative job.

But within three weeks, Sunshine Health, the company hired to run Florida’s program for medically fragile children, reversed its decision, saying the extra care wasn’t medical

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