Governor Laura Kelly announced a major breakthrough on Medicaid expansion during a news conference in Topeka on Thursday.
The governor and legislative leaders, including Senate Vice President Jeff Longbine of Emporia, announced a “crucial bipartisan step” to expand Medicaid, known at the state level as KanCare, to as many as 150,000 residents who currently don’t qualify. Kelly says the plan includes parts of plans introduced by her administration, as well as parts of House and Senate plans introduced last year.
Kelly says over 60 percent of the “expansion population” is already working, and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle want to increase that number through a work referral program
A surcharge endorsed by the Kansas Hospital Foundation is helping to pay for the plan.
During KVOE’s legislative previews earlier this week, Longbine said he supported the expansion.
60th District Representative Mark Schreiber also voiced his support, especially to help residents who fall into a so-called “donut hole” for coverage.
76th District Representative Eric Smith, though, says the plan will cost too much with too much uncertainty for residents already on KanCare.
Kansas would be the 37th state in the country to expand Medicaid if lawmakers approve later this session. Governor Kelly says the plan could take effect Jan. 1, 2021, if approved.
