Medicaid

Kansas Legislature Approves KanCare Expansion

Both the Kansas Senate and the Kansas House of Representatives have passed a bill to expand Medicaid in Kansas. Gov. Sam Brownback could still veto the measure.

Kansas has a privatized system called KanCare that administers the Medicaid program.

The vote in the Senate earlier this week was 25 to 14 in favor. Earlier, the bill passed the House with an 81 to 44 margin.

Brownback has opposed the expansion of funds for Medicaid and could veto the measure since the Senate vote was two shy of what is needed to override a veto. Some political observers say legislative maneuvering could give the expansion a better chance.

The Kansas Hospital Association, strong supporters of the legislation, called the bill fiscally responsible and said it brings hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars back to Kansas.

Tom Bell, KHA president and CEO, said Kansas needs to be vigilant and take advantage of the opportunity.  He noted Kansas has lost more than $1.7 billion of its own tax dollars by not expanding KanCare.