Kansas lawmakers will consider a Medicaid expansion bill, despite the anticipated repeal of the Affordable Care Act by Congress. Representative Susan Concannon introduced the bill today (THUR) on behalf of the Kansas Hospital Association. The Beloit Republican and vice-chair of the House health committee says the election of more moderate Republicans and Democrats has increased support for expanding KanCare - the state's privatized Medicaid program.
Governor Sam Brownback opposes Medicaid expansion, saying earlier this week that it would be foolish, given President-elect Donald Trump's plans to repeal Obamacare. But Concannon says state lawmakers would be foolish not to take advantage of what could be a final opportunity to claim billions of federal dollars and cover more than 100,000 additional low-income Kansans. Hearings on the expansion bill are expected in early February.
