Medicaid expansion may hinge on Kansas governor's race

TOPEKA -- Whether thousands of Kansans are allowed to enroll in Medicaid may hinge on the people running for governor.

The Republican field now includes three candidates with connections to health care. That’s spurring talk that Medicaid expansion could play a significant role in the race.

Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, a plastic surgeon, and Ken Selzer, who helps regulates health insurance as state insurance commissioner, entered the race last month. Jim Barnett, a former state senator and physician, began campaigning in June.

Their backgrounds may elevate the prominence of health care issues in the GOP primary, and force a debate over Medicaid: Barnett supports expanding eligibility for the program, while Colyer and Selzer have expressed opposition.

Read more here: http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article170856792.html