A 200-plus crowd, including a strong contingent from Iola, participated in a rally to expand Medicaid Tuesday at the state capitol.
Its the same song, umpteenth verse since 2014 to provide approximately 150,000 low-income Kansans with health insurance.
If approved, the federal government will pay more than 95 percent of the additional cost to the state to provide the coverage. Expansion would be a lifeline not only to these people but also to health care providers and facilities that offer them services.
By ignoring this opportunity over these past four years, Kansas has said no to $2.5 billion in federal funds. Think of the jobs that money could have created, the difference those funds could have made to the hospitals and clinics who treat the uninsured without adequate compensation, and, of course, the people who would have been better served by having health insurance.
If expanded, the program would cover those with incomes up to 138 percent of the poverty level, or just under $29,000 a year for a family of three. Currently, the top income limit for that same size family in Kansas is $7,760 to receive Medicaid, creating a huge gap for those who make too much for assistance but too little to qualify for insurance through the Affordable Care Act.
Not surprising, Kansas has the unfortunate reputation as being one of the most negligent states when it comes to Medicaid benefits. Not exactly the PR we need.
A SIZABLE majority of Kansans, 68 percent, favor the expansion of Medicaid.
Even so, state leaders oppose the move.
Why the disconnect?
Because those in power hold fast to a philosophy that health care should not be a right, but a privilege that only the employed are due.
The unfortunate reality is that until those that hold such a punitive mindset are booted from their seats of power including our new governor, Jeff Colyer the measure will continue to fail.
Last year, proponents in the House were only three votes shy of overturning Gov. Sam Brownbacks veto. Perhaps this year will be the difference.
To help the effort, be sure to let your state legislators know how you feel.
Susan Lynn
