Governor Laura Kelly participated in the “Accessible Health Care Coverage for Kansans” town hall hosted by the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) in Wichita yesterday. Along with Ed O’Malley, KHF President and CEO, they discussed the impact of Medicaid expansion on Kansas and engaged with business owners, community leaders, and audience members from the Wichita area.
During the event, Governor Kelly emphasized the importance of increasing access to health care coverage and the positive effects it would have on the state. She highlighted how Medicaid expansion would support rural hospitals, strengthen the health care workforce, and benefit law enforcement, small businesses, and local taxpayers. Governor Kelly urged senators to vote in favor of debating and voting on Medicaid expansion to empower communities across Kansas.
Expanding Medicaid in Kansas would provide affordable health care coverage to 150,000 residents and is projected to create 23,000 new jobs. It would also help address the state’s health care worker shortage and inject over $1 billion annually into hospitals and health centers. The goal is to reduce health care costs for everyone and increase eligibility so more Kansans can receive coverage.
The town hall coincided with the return of the Kansas Legislature to the Statehouse. On Friday, Senators will vote on the motion to move Governor Kelly’s Medicaid expansion bill out of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee and onto the floor. While Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson declined to participate, other legislative leaders and representatives from Sedgwick County were invited to attend the event.
Kansans are encouraged to contact their legislators and urge them to support Medicaid expansion. The town hall provided an opportunity for open dialogue and discussion on finding solutions that work for the people of the state. Photos from the event are available for media use.