Statement on the AHCA & KanCare Expansion

Statement of David Jordan, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, on the defeat of the American Health Care Act:

“Today, the United State House of Representatives pulled the proposed American Health Care Act (AHCA) when it was clear that it did not have enough votes to pass.  The defeat of the AHCA is a victory for all Kansans.  Speaker Ryan confirmed the Affordable Care Act (ACA) is the law of the land.

Today’s action removes any doubt that Medicaid expansion will remain in place.  It also confirms that the Kansas House and Senate Public Health Committee were right to consider and advance legislation to expand KanCare this session.

Now, is the time for the full Kansas Senate to unite to expand KanCare.  We can bring hundreds of millions of our tax dollars back to Kansas to create jobs, protect hospitals and communities, and provide coverage and care for more than 150,000 Kansans.

After today’s developments, it is clear the time to act is now and I hope members of the Senate and Governor Brownback join with the House of Representatives, hundreds of Kansas organizations, and more than 82% of Kansans who support expanding KanCare.”