As the legislative session continues, there is one major priority for Kansas Governor Laura Kelly: Medicaid expansion.
Gov. Kelly appeared on KVOE’s Talk of Emporia this past Monday, addressing a wide range of topics. She discussed SB40, which she signed Wednesday, extending the state’s disaster declaration through May 28th.
But, as it pertained to legislative issues, she focused on the need for Medicaid expansion. Gov. Kelly says it has been a priority of hers for several years, but the necessity has come into sharper focus due to the pandemic.
Gov. Kelly says Kansas has left 4.5 billion dollars in federal Medicaid funding “on the table”. She says states that have expanded Medicaid have seen job growth, have better economies, and residents that are “obviously” healthier. She says another benefit is the federal government is expanding the match to the state, which could mean 450 million dollars over the next 2 years.
Gov. Kelly says other priorities include: funding education; continued funding of the transportation program; and having a balanced budget that leaves the state with a rainy-day fund for emergencies.
We will finish our recap of Gov. Kelly’s Talk of Emporia, this weekend, with her thoughts on getting students back in school.
You can hear the full Talk of Emporia interview with Governor Kelly in the KVOE Audio Vault.
