Seems a handshake isnt what it used to be.
And moderate Republicans are feeling burned in the aftermath of the legislative session, when they took the gesture between Jim Denning, the majority leader of the Senate, and Rep. John Eplee to mean they and Democrats had a deal to have a seat at the table when it comes to crafting Medicaid expansion.
He shook my hand on that, Eplee told the Topeka Capital-Journal.
Now Denning is saying the handshake that concluded a meeting between him and Senate President Susan Wagle and House moderates was nothing of the sort.
After this, Eplees double-checking his birth certificate.
And, as suggested by Rep. Tom Cox, to admit that these days theres no such thing as a gentlemans agreement.
SO NOW the risk for Kansas is that instead of bipartisan legislation already approved by a majority of legislators, our best hope is for a new bill to expand Medicaid to be crafted by a handful of Senators who have already stated they intend to impose work requirements as well as lower benefits.
At its core, Medicaid is to provide health insurance for those whose incomes are insufficient to support a household be it because of poor health, a disability, or lack of earning power.
Kansass current Medicaid benefits for a family of four extend only to those living on less than $9,538 a year. In the 37 other states that have expanded Medicaid, that same family of four could receive health benefits on incomes up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or $35,535. Wagle has suggested the benefits be limited to 100% of the FPL, or $25,100 for our model family. After all, you dont want them splurging on a Caribbean cruise.
In his effort to save face, Sen. Denning, R-Overland Park, is blaming Gov. Laura Kelly and Democrats for the further rending between moderate and conservative Republicans.
It now appears to me [they] want to splinter the Republicans on Medicaid policy moving forward, he said.
If a man doesnt honor his own handshake, theres no reason to expect him to own up to its fallout.
Susan Lynn
