Dozens gather for public hearing on Medicaid expansion

TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) - The prospect of Medicaid expansion brought supporters and adversaries to the Statehouse on Wednesday.

Two hearing were held allowing people to speak for or against House Bill 2556 — a proposal to expand medical assistance eligibility.

Those in favor argued the mounting pressure to ensure health care accessibility and affordability is a necessity.

“They don’t earn enough to afford health care but they make too much to qualify for Medicaid,” said Erica Christie with 3 Rivers Inc. “We find them in that gap triangle of, ‘I can’t quit my job, I can’t go to the doctor, and I don’t qualify for Medicaid.”

“This isn’t just about the working class adults,” said Dr. Doug Gruenbacher with Kansas Academy of Family Physicians. “Medicaid expansion would also help us cover some of the kids out there. I’ve seen kids who’ve had abdominal pain and I was worried about Appendicitis and I tried to get them in for testing and imagery but would not be able to get that done.”

Proponents said surveys show nearly three quarters of Kansas voters support expansion.

However, opponents suggest an expansion will pull able-bodied adults from the workforce and cause problems for those who have private insurance.

“A private plan pays higher than Medicaid. Medicaid pays only about 78% of that plan,” said Sam Adolphsen with Opportunity Solutions Project. “Those folks would be required by law to give up that plan and go on Medicaid should you expand.”

“When you take out the folks that are already insured and remove the 46,000 children because children are not in the Medicaid expansion population — you’ll find that number is smaller because many of these folks, about 50% of folks nationwide, already had insurance before being thrust into Medicaid expansion,” said Sen. Beverly Gossage.

As the debate continues, all eyes are on Kansas lawmakers.

“This is not a political or ideological position and decision — this is a common sense decision,” said Gruenbacher.

In addition to those speaking in person, the Governor’s office said 900 written testimonies supporting the bill were submitted.

Committee leaders did not say when they might discuss whether to send the bill forward for debate.

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