AARP Kansas Joins Medicaid Expansion Rally

AARP Kansas volunteers and staff were front and center at the Medicaid Expansion rally on March 18 at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka.  The rally, organized by the Kansas Medicaid Access Coalition, of which AARP Kansas is a member, attracted more than 200 citizens from across the state who are concerned that Kansas is losing out on money from the federal government that could be used to provide access to affordable healthcare from more than 78,000 Kansans.  These thousands of Kansas are caught in the middle--they make too much income to be eligible for Medicaid, but not enough to participate in the health insurance marketplace.  About 20,219 of these Kansans are between the ages of 50 and 64 who have lost their jobs or are working in jobs without health insurance.

Expanding Medicaid, and accepting the federal funding of 100 percent of the cost, will provide needed health insurance coverage to Kansans who fall in the gap and will also give these Kansans access to preventative care which saves all Kansans money in the long run.

At the rally, participants heard from Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger, who is in favor of Medicaid Expansion.  Praeger told the group that Medicaid is a federal-state partnership and Kansas isn't getting its share of Medicaid dollars by not expanding Medicaid.

AARP Kansas is encouraging members and the public to call or write Governor Sam Brownback and their state legislators and ask them to support Medicaid Expansion in Kansas.

Click Kansas Legislature  to find your local legislator.   Click here to contact Governor Brownback.