Kansas Republicans fear executive action by Gov. Laura Kelly on Medicaid expansion

Republicans seething over a policy shift that makes it easier for some Kansans to obtain food stamps are worried Gov. Laura Kelly could attempt to expand the state’s Medicaid program through administrative action.

It isn’t clear whether Kelly, a Democrat, could deploy Medicaid expansion in defiance of a 2014 law that specifically requires legislative approval, and there is no indication her administration is considering ways to do so.

Still, Republican leaders point to a Kansas Department for Children and Families directive to use federal exemptions for work requirements with the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program as evidence the governor is willing to bypass restrictions in state law.

“The administration has proven it is willing to use unlawful executive action to allow able-bodied adults without dependents to continue receiving SNAP benefits,” said House Majority Leader Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita. “We simply cannot trust it to respect the law when it comes to Medicaid expansion.”

Read more: https://www.hdnews.net/news/20190612/kansas-republicans-fear-executive-action-by-gov-laura-kelly-on-medicaid-expansion/1.
(Hays Daily News)