By Harriet Bachner

It is significant that 80% of Kansans support KanCare expansion. Many contend that there is a great need for expansion of Medicaid, especially for those who fall into the health insurance coverage gap. This is problematic particularly since the loss of KanCare coverage due to the “unwinding” of the federal COVID 19 Public Health Emergency. Furthermore, children may lose or have lost enrollment even though they may be eligible because KanCare has not been expanded for those in the coverage gap. Parents may be unaware that they need to update information and submit a renewal.

Yet, Kansas legislators did not bring this issue up for discussion during the past legislative season. It seems that a rationale that legislators often convey to constituents is that if a person has a job, then health insurance is available. The fallacy in that reasoning does not account for the people who are working two or even three jobs and do not have health insurance through their employment. They fall into that coverage gap because Kansas has not expanded KanCare to those in the coverage gap. These are hardworking Kansans, often parents with young children. In fact, for a family of three, approximately $9,500 per year is the income limit to qualify for KanCare (Alliance for Healthy Kansas). 

There are many benefits and reasons for expansion, some of which include the following:

1. It would reduce health care costs for all Kansans. Those who don’t have health care often wait until their physical symptoms are severe before they seek care. Therefore, more extensive care is needed, and the expense is passed on to higher health care costs and increased insurance premiums for those who do have health insurance.

2. It would protect against medical debt that contributes to losing one’s home.

3. KanCare expansion would preserve and strengthen rural health care and prevent the closing of rural hospitals. The closing of rural hospitals has a downward ripple effect on the local economy and employment opportunities for many citizens in these rural towns.

4. Expansion would make Kansas economically competitive with the 40 states that have already expanded their Medicaid programs.

5. Kansas has already lost more than $6 billion by not expanding.

6. Expansion and the availability of health care for Kansans would not only improve their physical and mental health, but also enhance their ability to be gainfully employed and be productive. Thus, expansion will improve the economic well-being of Kansas and our citizens.

Considering the above reasons for expansion, the question is: Why won’t Kansas legislators even bring up KanCare expansion for discussion, giving more than 150,000 Kansans access to health care? It is imperative that we continue to talk about this in public discourse, with our friends and family, and to address our concerns to our state representatives and senators. They are expected to serve their constituents and thus addressing the need for the well-being of Kansans is of critical importance.

For more information see Health in the 34th: Alliance for Healthy Kansas podcasts https://rss.com/podcasts/healthinthe34th/