By Trish Svoboda

The Kansas Legislature has heard Governor Laura Kelly’s bipartisan proposal for Medicaid expansion, known as the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act. This marks the first public debate on Medicaid expansion in the legislature in four years. Over 900 written testimonies were submitted in favor of the expansion, with 450 going to the House and 463 to the Senate.

The Act titled ‘Reducing Health Care Expenses for All Kansans’ is set to enhance health care availability for 150,000 residents of Kansas. Simultaneously, it will channel an annual federal funding of $1.2 billion into the state’s economy and pave the way for the creation of 23,000 new jobs.

Kansas is still one of the ten states where Medicaid has not been expanded. Supporters of the bill have emphasized how the lack of legislative action has negatively affected the rural health system in Kansas and limited the availability of essential healthcare services.

“Kansans across the state have overwhelmingly echoed the same message — they want Medicaid expansion,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “While the legislature has held hearings, it cannot stop there. The Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act must swiftly be debated on the floor and put up to a vote.