In March, Kansans gathered at the Statehouse to demonstrate their support for Medicaid expansion. People from all corners of the state submitted a staggering 900 testimonies advocating for the expansion of services. (Rachel Mipro/Kansas Reflector)
In just three weeks, senators will have to make a crucial decision. They will determine whether to allow a full floor debate on Medicaid expansion or if they will once again block any discussion regarding health insurance coverage for low-income Kansans for an entire year.
During a late-night marathon session before adjourning for three weeks, lawmakers hurriedly worked on various policy matters, including the tax code and K-12 education funding. In the midst of this frenzied process, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, introduced a motion to bring Senate Bill 355 to the floor for consideration.
The purpose of the procedural move is to bypass the Republican leadership’s refusal to allow the bill to progress through the standard process. In order for the Sykes motion to be successful, it will need to receive approval from at least 24 out of the 40 senators.
“This issue is not about political parties, as more than 70% of Kansans, regardless of their political affiliation, are in favor of Medicaid expansion,” stated Sykes. “There are only a small number of extremist lawmakers in the Legislature who are obstructing progress. It is essential for Kansans to be aware of their representatives’ stance on Medicaid expansion. As Beyonce once said, let’s bring this matter to the forefront now.”
Beyonce’s song “Texas Hold ‘Em” includes the catchy line, “Come take it to the floor now.”
The motion will be considered by Senators upon their return later this month, with a scheduled vote on April 26.
Securing 24 votes will prove to be a challenging task, as GOP leaders have expressed their disapproval of Medicaid expansion. Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins have labeled the program as a means to enlarge the welfare state rather than providing aid to those who are genuinely in need.
Medicaid expansion aims to increase the availability of health insurance coverage for families with lower incomes. As part of the Affordable Care Act, the federal government would cover 90% of the additional expenses for Medicaid services. In return, eligibility for Medicaid would be extended to those who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty rate. This expansion would primarily benefit around 152,000 individuals in Kansas, including self-employed individuals, small business owners and their employees, as well as individuals dealing with chronic illnesses.
Expanding Medicaid has the potential to secure a significant amount of federal funding, amounting to $700 million per year. This influx of funds could prove to be a lifeline for 59 rural hospitals that are currently facing the threat of closure.
April Holman, the executive director of Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, emphasized the increasing expenses of daily life, including healthcare costs, and the impact it has on Kansas families. Holman urges Kansas lawmakers to address this issue by implementing policy changes that alleviate the financial burdens faced by families in the state.
Kansas remains one of the ten states that have yet to expand Medicaid.
In a significant development, Republican leaders broke a four-year streak by granting a committee hearing to a Medicaid expansion bill. This move came after Democratic Governor Laura Kelly exerted pressure through a statewide tour, dedicated to advocating for Medicaid expansion.
Democrats and health care advocates have high hopes that this year’s election will exert more pressure on lawmakers to back Medicaid expansion. With all 165 seats in the House and Senate up for election, there is bipartisan support for Medicaid expansion, as indicated by polling data.
“Now is the perfect opportunity for you to express your opinions,” Kelly conveyed in a message directed at voters on Saturday.
“I encourage you to reach out to your legislators through writing, calling, or meeting with them, and advocate for their support in expanding Medicaid by voting in favor of this motion. We currently have the necessary momentum to achieve this goal during the ongoing legislative session.”
