Medicaid expansion receives first public hearing in Kansas Statehouse in 4 years

TOPEKA, Kan. (KCTV) - Medicaid expansion has received its first public hearing in the Kansas Statehouse for the first time in four years as it remains one of 10 states that have yet to expand the measure.

Kansas Governor Laura Kelly says that on Wednesday, March 20, her bipartisan Medicaid expansion proposal, the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act, was heard in the state legislature. This is the first time in four years the legislature has allowed public debate on Medicaid expansion.

Gov. Kelly noted that more than 900 written testimonies were made in support of Medicaid expansion, 450 of those were submitted to the House while 463 were submitted to the Senate.

“Kansans across the state have overwhelmingly echoed the same message — they want Medicaid expansion,” Kelly said. “While the legislature has held hearings, it cannot stop there. The Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act must swiftly be debated on the floor and put up to a vote.”

Kelly indicated that the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act would increase access to care for 150,000 residents while $1.2 billion is injected in annual federal funding. The move would also create 23,000 new jobs.

The Governor said a joint session of the Senate Ways and Means Committee and Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee held an informational hearing on Medicaid expansion. The House Health and Human Services Committee also held a hearing on House Bill 2556.

Kelly noted that Republican state legislators from North Carolina, the most recent state to expand Medicaid, shared perspectives on how the legislature worked to implement the expansion with bipartisan support.

“Despite facing numerous obstacles, the North Carolina General Assembly tackled each challenge through ongoing dialogue and problem-solving,” said North Carolina State Senator Jim Burgin and North Carolina State Representative Donny Lambeth. “The state’s historic actions are anticipated to positively affect approximately 600,000 citizens, 80% of whom are employed but struggle to afford conventional employer-sponsored insurance. This endeavor promises an unparalleled economic impact for both the state and health care providers.”

The Governor indicated that business leaders from across the state have also expressed support for Medicaid expansion which could reduce health-care-related costs for business owners. Billie Hall and the Sunflower Foundation shared the results of a recent poll held by Neil Newhouse, a leading pollster and strategist for the Republican Party.

“The poll illustrates a growing sentiment among Kansans that Medicaid expansion is both a health care and economic issue, especially when viewed locally,” Hall said. “Results showed 68% of registered voters, 51% of Republican primary voters, and 83% of small business owners favor expanding Medicaid in Kansas.”

Despite widespread public support, Kelly said Kansas is one of 10 states yet to expand Medicaid. Supporters highlighted how the legislature’s failure to act has negative effects on rural health systems and limited access to life-saving care.

“The State of Kansas’ lack of expanding Medicaid has cost HaysMed more than $12,000,000 to date, and [this number] continues to rise,” said Edward Hermann, President and CEO of HaysMed. “These are dollars that are currently going to other states who have expanded Medicaid and have resulted in job creation and significant direct impact to the local economy.”

Kelly noted that the Senate’s informational hearing on Medicaid expansion can be seen HERE while the hearing on HB 2556 can be seen HERE.

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