Impact of Government Shutdown on Jacksonville Families

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — The ongoing government shutdown is causing a ripple effect for military families and those in the healthcare field.

One local clinic serving military families with special needs children says it has reached a financial breaking point.

Genevieve Covington, CEO and Founder of Bloom Behavioral Solutions, operates the clinic near naval station Mayport. The facility cares for roughly 70 families with children affected by autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and ADD/ADHD, with 90% of these families being military.

This business which employs more than 40 people is classified as an autism care demonstration under TRICARE, the military’s health insurance system.

The latest government shutdown has frozen funding. Since the program is not a covered medical benefit, it isn’t protected during a shutdown.

That means no payments, since September 23rd and no timeline on when they’ll resume.

“Now I am faced with the difficult decision of whether to continue providing services. I have no idea when this government shutdown will come to an end,” stated Genevieve Covington, board-certified behavioral analyst and CEO of Bloom Behavioral Solutions.

Covington said this isn’t the first challenge her small business has faced. 

Back in January, a TRICARE contract transition left providers waiting 90 days without reimbursement, something they’re still recovering from.

On Thursday, the CEO sent this letter to families she serves, explaining the financial situation: 

“If services are put on hold, these families will need to manage their children at home rather than having them at our facility to receive essential services,” Covington said.

Now with no answers and no end in sight, Covington is left making tough choices.

“Do I continue to provide services? I feel it is a necessity. I am contractually obligated unless I give a 45-day notice to the TRICARE beneficiaries,” she added.