Kansas Senate votes to expand Medicaid as Gov. Sam Brownback doubles down on opposition

TOPEKA -- Kansas lawmakers ignored Gov. Sam Brownback’s wishes Monday and gave initial approval to a bill that would expand Medicaid to thousands in the state.

The Kansas Senate voted 25 to 13 to expand KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, after a lengthy debate Monday afternoon.

The Senate still needs to give final approval to the measure, which takes advantage of a key provision of Obamacare, in a vote that is expected to come Tuesday.

“I can’t believe it took this long to do it,” said Sen. John Doll, a Garden City Republican. “....This is something that’s long overdue.”

Read more here: http://www.kansascity.com/news/politics-government/article141118813.html