Pastor Josh Longbottom speaks outside the Kansas Statehouse (Photo credit: KHI News Service)
Supporters of expanding Medicaid rallied outside the Kansas Statehouse today (FRI). The event was timed to coincide with the ceremonial adjournment of the 2014 session of the Legislature. Josh Longbottom, pastor of the Central Congregational Church in Topeka, was among the speakers. He challenged Governor Sam Brownback and legislators with strong religious beliefs to embrace expansion as a way to help poor Kansans.
Kansas is one of 19 states to reject expansion despite a federal promise to pay 90 percent of the costs. Twenty-seven states have broadened Medicaid eligibility as called for in the federal health reform law. Five states are still considering the issue.