Kansas
Kansas Medicaid expansion debate to be revived when Legislature returns • Kansas Reflector
TOPEKA — In three weeks, senators will decide whether to give Medicaid expansion a full floor debate or block discussion of health insurance coverage for low-income Kansans for another year.
Lawmakers rushed to hammer out myriad policy pieces ranging from the tax code to K-12 education funding during a late-night marathon session before adjourning Saturday for three weeks. During the frenzied process, Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, a Lenexa Democrat, introduced a motion to pull Senate Bill 355 to the floor for consideration.
The procedural move is designed to override the authority of Republican leadership who refuse to allow the bill to move forward through the usual process. The Sykes motion will require approval from 24 of the 40 senators.
“This is not a partisan issue, and over 70% of Kansans, regardless of party, support Medicaid expansion,” Sykes said. “Only a few extremists in the Legislature are standing in the way, so Kansans deserve to know where their legislators stand on Medicaid expansion. To quote Beyonce, let’s bring it to the floor now.”
The quote is an apparent reference to Beyonce’s song “Texas Hold ‘Em,” which contains the line, “Come take it to the floor now.”
Senators will consider the motion after they return later this month, with a vote scheduled for April 26.
Gathering 24 votes will be an uphill battle, given GOP leaders’ opposition to Medicaid expansion. Senate President Ty Masterson and House Speaker Dan Hawkins have characterized the program as a way to “expand the welfare state,” instead of helping the “truly needy.”
Medicaid expansion would expand health insurance coverage for lower-income families. Under the Affordable Care Act, the federal government covers 90% of the extra cost of Medicaid services in exchange for expanding eligibility to those who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty rate. Most of the estimated 152,000 Kansans who would benefit from expansion are self-employed, small business owners and their employees, or suffering from chronic illness.
Medicaid expansion would unlock $700 million in annual federal funding and could save 59 rural hospitals on the brink of closing.
“The costs of everyday living continue to rise — including the cost of health care — and Kansas families are feeling it,”said April Holman, executive director of Alliance for a Healthy Kansas. “It is past time for Kansas lawmakers to listen to the people and enact policy change that will ease the burdens of these costs on Kansas families.”
Kansas is one of 10 states left that have not expanded Medicaid.
This session marked the first time in four years that GOP leaders allowed a Medicaid expansion bill to receive a committee hearing. Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly applied pressure before the session with a statewide tour in which she promoted Medicaid expansion.
Democrats and health care advocates are hopeful this year’s election will place additional pressure on lawmakers to support Medicaid expansion. All 165 seats in the House and Senate are up for election, and polling shows bipartisan support for Medicaid expansion.
In a statement to voters Saturday, Kelly said, “Now is the time to make your voices heard.”
“I urge you to write, call, or meet with your legislators and encourage them to support expanding Medicaid by voting yes on this motion. We have the momentum to get this done this legislative session.”
TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – It may not seem like a lot of relief, but gas and diesel prices have declined over the past week.
Friday morning’s national average for a gallon of unleaded gas was $4.39, according to the Automobile Association of America.
That’s down three cents from $4.42 on Thursday; down 16 cents from a week ago; but was up 17 cents from $4.22 a month ago and up $.23 from $3.16 a year ago.
In Kansas, AAA says, unleaded gas on Friday was averaging $3.96 a gallon — down four cents from $4.00 on Thursday; down 13 cents from $3.96 a week ago; but up 26 cents from $3.70 a month ago; and up $1.07 over $2.89 a year ago.
Diesel fuel also was dropping in price. AAA says Friday’s national average for a gallon of diesel was $5.52 a gallon — down three cents from $5.55 on Thursday; down 12 cents from $5.64 a week a go; but up six cents from $5.46 a month ago and up $1.98 from $3.54 a year ago.
Kansas diesel fuel prices, according to AAA, checked in at an average of $4.98 on Friday. That’s five cents below $5.03 on Thursday; down 16 cents from $5.14 a week ago; but up 24 cents over $4.74 a month ago; and up $1.72 from $3.26 a year ago.
In Topeka, GasBuddy.com on Friday morning showed unleaded gas prices ranging between $3.77 and $4.09 in Topeka, with diesel fuel going for between $4.94 and $5.29 a gallon.
Copyright 2026 WIBW. All rights reserved.
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NFL Trade Rumors: Kansas City Chiefs linked to $15M New York Giants pass rusher and $10M Chicago Bears tight end in bold ESPN proposals
The Kansas City Chiefs continue to be linked to potential trade targets despite entering the 2026 season with one of the NFL’s deepest rosters. Recent speculation from ESPN connected Kansas City to New York Giants edge rusher Kayvon Thibodeaux and Chicago Bears tight end Cole Kmet. In the proposed scenarios, the Chiefs would send a 2027 fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux or a 2027 third-round pick while receiving Kmet and a fifth-round selection. While neither proposal gained traction with the opposing teams, the rumors have sparked debate about whether Kansas City should make a significant move before the season.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Player | Kayvon Thibodeaux / Cole Kmet |
| Current Team | New York Giants / Chicago Bears |
| Rumored Team | Kansas City Chiefs |
| Contract Status | Both under contract |
| Salary Cap Hit | Thibodeaux: manageable rookie extension window; Kmet carries a significant future cap number |
| Trade Likelihood | Low to moderate |
| Latest Insider Update | ESPN floated hypothetical trade proposals |
| Potential Return | 2027 fourth-round pick for Thibodeaux; 2027 third-round pick for Kmet |
Which teams are interested in Kayvon Thibodeaux and Cole Kmet?
Kansas City emerged as the most notable team connected to both players through the ESPN exercise. The fit is understandable. For Thibodeaux, the Chiefs could add another proven pass-rushing threat alongside their current edge group. Defensive line depth remains one of the most valuable assets in today’s NFL, especially for teams with championship aspirations. Adding a player of Thibodeaux’s caliber would strengthen the rotation and provide insurance against injuries. Kmet addresses a different need. While Travis Kelce remains a central piece of the offense, he is approaching the later stages of his career. Kmet offers a combination of blocking ability and receiving production that could help Kansas City maintain stability at tight end while preparing for the future.
What insiders are saying about the trade rumors
According to AtoZ Sports’ Charles Goldman, the concept behind pursuing Thibodeaux makes sense, but the compensation falls short. New York has little incentive to move a talented edge rusher for a mid-round draft pick when pass rushers are among the league’s most sought-after players. Goldman was similarly cautious regarding Kmet. Although he acknowledged the tight end would fill a practical role in Kansas City’s offense, he questioned whether investing draft capital and future money in Kmet is the best long-term strategy. Instead, he suggested the Chiefs may be better served developing a successor to Kelce through the draft.
Contract details and salary cap implications
Any trade discussion involving Kansas City begins with the salary cap. The Chiefs would likely need to create additional financial flexibility before taking on a notable contract. Thibodeaux presents the cleaner situation. He remains young, productive, and could be controlled through future contract negotiations. There are no reported no-trade restrictions complicating a potential move. Kmet’s situation is more challenging. His future cap numbers could require restructuring or a new agreement if Kansas City wanted to keep him long term. That added financial commitment makes the decision more complicated than the draft-pick cost alone.
How the trade could impact both teams
For Kansas City, acquiring Thibodeaux would strengthen a defense already built to compete for another Super Bowl. A deeper pass rush often becomes critical during playoff runs, where one extra pressure can change a game. Kmet’s arrival would have a different effect. He could ease the workload on Kelce while giving the offense a more balanced tight end room. At the same time, surrendering valuable draft assets could limit future roster-building options. From the Giants’ and Bears’ perspectives, keeping proven starters may provide more value than collecting future picks. That reality is why both proposed deals remain long shots, even if the Chiefs continue to surface in trade conversations.
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-U43648517271Shc-1440x752@IlSole24Ore-Web.jpg?r=1170x507&w=400&resize=400,240&ssl=1 "War breaking news. Trump postpones decision: nothing after two hours in Situation Room")
-U43648517271Shc-1440x752@IlSole24Ore-Web.jpg?r=1170x507&w=80&resize=80,80&ssl=1 "War breaking news. Trump postpones decision: nothing after two hours in Situation Room")
World59 minutes agoWar breaking news. Trump postpones decision: nothing after two hours in Situation Room
