Kansas governor continues push for Medicaid expansion at public health conference

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – Speaking in front of hundreds of health professionals about the Kansas healthcare system, Kansas Governor Laura Kelly revisited a topic she holds as a top priority: Medicaid expansion. Kelly again brought up the issue Tuesday at a public health conference in Wichita.

“The most important thing we can do to improve health in Kansas is to finally expand Medicaid,” she said.

Kelly told the health professionals gathered Tuesday at the Kansas Governor’s Public Health Conference that she believes Medicaid expansion is the most obvious solution for rural hospitals and clinics facing closures and staffing shortages.

“I don’t know how many rural hospitals, health clinics and emergency clinics have to close before the legislature takes Medicaid expansion seriously, but the answer should be zero,” she said.

Among the healthcare professionals in attendance at Tuesday’s conference, those who spoke with 12 News said they support the governor’s push, not only to help healthcare workers but also for their clients and patients.

“Most of our clients are lower-income, so any type of expansion from the governor’s office at the state level can help cover more people, get more people into very needed services,” said James Gerstner with the Hays’ High Plans Mental Health Center.

Elaine Johnson and Megan Betts with the Kansas Community Health Worker Coalition cited Medicaid expansion as “a logical next step” toward fairness and providing healthcare access for all, specifically in rural Kansas.

Countering the points of the governor and others advocating for Medicaid expansion, Republican leadership in the Kansas legislature has called Medicaid expansion a nonstarter, saying they don’t believe it would solve problems for rural clinics.

In prior statements, Republican leadership said the solution for more expanded care and help for rural hospitals is more options for private insurance, not government.

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