Governor Laura Kelly recently took part in a town hall in Wichita, hosted by the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF), to discuss the potential impact of Medicaid expansion on the state of Kansas. During the event, she emphasized the positive effects that increasing access to health care coverage could bring to the state, including supporting rural hospitals, strengthening the health care workforce, and benefiting various sectors such as law enforcement, small businesses, and local taxpayers.
Governor Kelly urged Senators to vote in favor of debating and voting on Medicaid expansion to empower communities across the state. Expanding Medicaid would provide 150,000 residents with access to affordable health care coverage and create 23,000 new jobs. It would also help address the health care worker shortage and inject over $1 billion annually into hospitals and health centers.
Ed O’Malley, President and CEO of KHF, highlighted how Medicaid expansion could help reduce health care costs and increase coverage eligibility for Kansans. He stressed the importance of finding solutions that work for the people of the state. Despite invitations extended to legislative leaders like Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, they declined to participate in the town hall. Members of the public were encouraged to reach out to their legislators in support of Medicaid expansion.