Kansas GOP Kills Medicaid Expansion

Despite rising need, arguments that the expansion would help rural communities more than anyone else and downright pleading from families broken by medical debt. 

Kansas Republicans held steadfast against Guv Kelly's effort to expand the social safety net.

Here are the basics and more reporting . . .

The Senate needed 24 votes to place SB 355 on the floor. Only 18 senators voted in favor, but several Republicans joined every Democratic senator in voting yes.

Medicaid is low-cost or free health insurance from the federal government that goes to low-income individuals and families. Each state can expand eligibility criteria for Medicaid. Kansas is, and now remains, one of about 10 states in the country not to expand the benefit.

Supporters of Medicaid expansion said this proposal wouldve made about 152,000 more Kansans eligible for Medicaid.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

'It's hard and it's heartbreaking': Kansas decides against expanding Medicaid

Supporters of Medicaid expansion in Kansas remain resolute despite legislators deciding not to expand the service this session.