Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Kansas Lawmakers Send Medicaid Expansion Bill To Brownback
The Washington Post: Kansas Moves To Expand Medicaid As GOP Legislatures Face Pressure After ‘Trumpcare’ Failure
State lawmakers in this deep-red state on Tuesday did what a year ago would have been unthinkable: They voted to expand Medicaid under the health-care law that Republicans here have railed against for years. ... The abrupt reversal in Kansas could be the front edge of a larger shift nationally, as state lawmakers absorb the repercussions of congressional Republicans’ failed attempt to repeal and replace elements of the Affordable Care Act. (DelReal and Somashekhar, 3/28)
Reuters: Kansas Passes Medicaid Expansion Bill Despite Governor's Objection
The Kansas Senate gave final approval on Tuesday to a bill expanding eligibility for Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) even though the measure faces a likely veto by Republican Governor Sam Brownback. The 25-14 Senate vote followed the House's 81-44 passage of the bill last month, with the vote totals falling short of veto-proof margins in both Republican-controlled chambers. (Pierog, 3/28)
The Associated Press: Lawmakers In Republican-Led Kansas Vote To Expand Medicaid
The bill would expand the state's Medicaid program for the poor, disabled and elderly so that it would cover up to 180,000 additional adults who aren't disabled. It now heads to conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback. ... lawmakers on both sides of the debate expect Brownback to veto the measure. He has long been a vocal critic of Obama's health care law and endorsed a plan pursued by Trump and GOP congressional leaders. The term-limited governor declared in January that expanding Medicaid under the law would be "airlifting onto the Titanic," though he hasn't said whether he would veto this bill. (Hanna, 3/28)
The Wall Street Journal: Kansas GOP-Led Legislature Approves Medicaid Expansion
“To expand Obamacare when the program is in a death spiral is not responsible policy,” Melika Willoughby, the communications director for Mr. Brownback, said in an emailed statement after the vote Tuesday. “Kansas must prioritize the care and service of vulnerable Kansans, addressing their health care needs in a sustainable way, not expanding a failing entitlement program to able-bodied adults.” (Levitz and Mahtani, 3/28)
Wichita (Kan.) Eagle: Legislature Sends Medicaid Expansion To Brownback
The governor has 10 days after he receives the bill to sign or veto it. If he does nothing, the bill becomes law. ... In the past, Brownback has said any expansion must be budget neutral and must require able-bodied recipients to work. He also has said Kansas must provide services for eligible disabled Kansans on waiting lists before able-bodied adults. (Shorman, 3/28)
Kansas City Star: Kansas Senate Sends Medicaid Expansion Bill To Gov. Sam Brownback
Many conservative Republicans strongly opposed the legislation, though that opposition wasn’t enough to defeat the bill. Expansion proponents will need to flip at least two of the 14 conservatives in the Senate to a yes vote to override a veto. That may be a tough task, as conservative lawmakers were already saying after the vote that they would not be flipped and were hopeful the Senate, or even the House, could defeat a veto override effort. (Woodall, 3/28)
Modern Healthcare: Kansas Medicaid Expansion Looks Iffy As Bill Goes To GOP Governor
Almost 375,000 people were enrolled in Kansas' Medicaid program, called KanCare, at the end of 2016. An estimated 150,000 more would gain coverage if the state expands Medicaid. The bill's approval marked a stark change in Kansas state politics. Last year, Republican state Sen. Barbara Bollier was removed from a health committee for supporting Medicaid expansion. (Livingston, 3/28)
CNN: Deep-Red Kansas Lawmakers Agree To Expand Medicaid
Kansas is not the only state looking to expand Medicaid. Democratic governors in North Carolina and Virginia also want to do so, though it's unlikely to get through their Republican legislatures. In Maine, residents have gathered enough signatures to put expansion on the ballot in November. (Luhby, 3/28)
CNBC: Kansas Legislature Votes To Expand Medicaid, As Other States Eye Similar Moves
[T]he Kansas legislature's move is striking, and just the latest in a series of steps by states to expand or change their Medicaid programs on the heels of a failed effort by GOP leaders in the U.S. House of Representatives last week to repeal and replace key parts of Obamacare. (Mangan, 3/28)
