The Wichita Eagle: Kansas hospitals are hurting, at risk

Yesterday Rhonda Holman of the Eagle Editorial Board wrote an excellent opinion piece that shares our concerns with the Governor and Legislature’s failure to act to close the coverage gap. Those standing firm against expanding Medicaid in Kansas have their reasons, however politically contrived. But, as predicted, their inaction is harming the health care industry, […]

Health Reform Resource Project: Expansion is how to fix KanCare

The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) recently held a series of informational forums to gather input on the renewal of the KanCare program. Testimony from stakeholders was not accepted, but Sheldon Weisgrau of the Health Reform Resource Project prepared a written statement. Weisgrau […]

Community Leaders Launch Grassroots Campaign Urging Legislature to Expand KanCare

More than 150 community leaders from across Kansas came together at the Statehouse on May 9th to launch a campaign to urge Gov. Sam Brownback and legislators to expand KanCare, the state’s health coverage program for vulnerable Kansans. Watch the full video: Among them were dozens of Kansas leaders representing businesses, rural hospitals, safety net […]

Medicaid Expansion Enhances Financial Well-Being: Unpaid Bills and Debt Sent to Collection Agencies Decline in Expansion States

The perceived value of health coverage is often tied to its connection to keeping people healthy. Health insurance, however, like other forms of insurance, is a financial product. Its primary goal is to protect the holder against financial risk. A recent study shows that Medicaid expansion does just that – reducing unpaid bills, enhancing credit, […]

Medicaid Expansion Creates Budget Savings and Revenue Gains: States that expand also have more job growth, lower health inflation, and fewer at-risk hospitals

In addition to big gains in health coverage, states that expand their Medicaid programs generate substantial budget savings and revenue gains that can be used to offset expansion costs and finance other state priorities. A recent analysis by Manatt Health, prepared for the State Health Reform Assistance Network, examined the budget impact of Medicaid expansion […]