Democrats hope for traction on Medicaid

TOPEKA — Proponents of Medicaid expansion face an uphill battle in this year’s legislative session despite, or perhaps because of, Gov.-elect Laura Kelly’s support for the idea.

Democrats worry Republican leadership again will stifle discussion on hot-button health issues, such as Medicaid expansion and medicinal marijuana.

Kelly, a Democrat who made expansion a cornerstone of her campaign, said health care is a critical need that remains inaccessible to many people. By loosening qualifications, an estimated 150,000 Kansans would gain access to health coverage while unlocking federal dollars to cover 90 percent of the cost.

“My administration will work on a bipartisan plan to expand Medicaid so that more Kansans have access to health care, our rural hospitals can stay open, and the tax dollars we send to Washington come back home to Kansas to help our families,” Kelly said.

Read more: http://www.hdnews.net/news/20190110/dems-hope-for-traction-on-medicaid