Joco Today

OLATHE, KS –  Representative Sharice Davids and Governor Laura Kelly joined state officials and local health care advocates to discuss renewed KanCare eligibility requirements and their continued efforts to expand Medicaid. The COVID-19 Public Health Emergency halted Medicaid eligibility reviews, but now the reviews have restarted and currently-covered Kansans are at risk of losing their health care without proper preparation. Kansas remains one of only 10 states where the state legislatures have repeatedly blocked Medicaid expansion despite federal incentives that would make it essentially free to do so.

In March 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) temporarily waived certain Medicaid requirements and conditions to prevent people from losing their health coverage during the pandemic. As of April 2023, Kansas has restarted these eligibility reviews and will continue reviewing throughout the next year. According to some estimates, up to 15 million people could lose their current Medicaid coverage through this renewal process, including 500,000 Kansans.

“While I’m glad we could help ensure qualifying Kansans don’t lose their health care during the KanCare reviewal process, it’s far past time for Kansas to expand Medicaid coverage,” said Davids. “I’ve worked for years to ensure all Kansans can receive the affordable, quality health care they deserve, but certain actors at the state level have forgone already-paid-for federal dollars as part of a political agenda. My fight continues, and I’m glad to have Governor Kelly and other local partners like Health Partnership Clinic beside me, working to keep Kansans safe and healthy.”

“I’ve applied for KanCare four times, only to be denied each time due to the limited qualification standards,” said Mary Stapleton, Prairie Village resident. “What that has done to my life has been devastating. I’m not in the workforce, I don’t pay taxes, and I don’t have the capacity to spend money in my community. I live in the wealthiest county in Kansas but cannot get the health coverage I need. That’s why Kansas must expand Medicaid. I want to thank Governor Laura Kelly and Representative Sharice Davids for their advocacy in trying to better our health care coverage.”

“Health insurance is foundational to healthy communities, which is why I’m glad to join forces with Representative Davids to make sure qualifying Kansans know what they need to do to keep their coverage,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “But this process makes the need to expand Medicaid that much clearer – it will boost our economy, bring hard-earned tax dollars back to our state, and most importantly, save lives. We must get this done next session.”

Davids successfully fought to include increased financial incentives for Medicaid expansion in the American Rescue Plan. Under those incentives, Medicaid expansion in Kansas would be completely paid for through the first two years, after which the federal government would continue to cover 90% of the cost. Kansas was also recently approved to use American Rescue Plan funds to expand Medicaid coverage for postpartum mothers—coverage that previously ended just two months after giving birth.

Davids has also supported legislation that would create a federal Medicaid-style program to extend coverage eligibility to all individuals under 138% of the Federal Poverty Level, establishing a permanent solution for the failure of non-expansion states like Kansas to extend the program. As Congress already paid for Medicaid expansion in the Affordable Care Act, this federal Medicaid program should require no additional offsets.

Research confirms that Medicaid expansion increases access to care, improves financial security, and leads to better health outcomes, and failure to expand Medicaid disproportionately affects people of color, as 60% of people in the coverage gap are Black, Hispanic, Asian, or Pacific Islander. Additionally, a recent report found that Kansas could increase its economic output by $17 billion and add an estimated 23,000 new jobs if the state chose to expand Medicaid.

“As a federally qualified health center serving Johnson, Miami, and Franklin counties, our mission is to improve the health of the communities we serve through the provision of high quality, affordable accessible and culturally appropriate care to all individuals regardless of the ability to pay,” said Amy Falk, Chief Executive officer, Health Partnership Clinic. “While we serve individuals with all forms of insurance, a significant amount of our adults are the working poor and are unable to afford coverage or qualify for Medicaid. Every day we see the impact that not expanding Medicaid has on Kansans. We truly thank Representative Davids and Governor Kelly for their ongoing efforts to expand Medicaid.”

“The Kansas Department of Health and Environment is working to ensure that reviews are processed efficiently, accurately and in compliance with federal regulations for all Kansans with Medicaid, including ensuring our fellow Kansans are provided more than the required timeframe to return their review,” said Christine Osterlund, Deputy Medicaid Director and Director of Operations, Kansas Department of Health and Environment. “It is vital that any Kansan with Medicaid update their contact information with the KanCare Clearinghouse and that all review paperwork is signed, dated and received by the KanCare Clearinghouse by the date listed on the review form.”

During the KanCare eligibility process, Kansans can lose their health care, even if they still qualify for coverage. To ensure preparedness, people should first ensure the state has the correct address on file to be sent the renewal paperwork. Once they’ve received the paperwork in the mail, it should be filled out and returned in a timely manner. Local HealthCare.gov navigators and organizations like El Centro in Kansas City, KS can assist in accurately completing the forms. Those no longer eligible for Medicaid can visit HealthCare.gov to find a coverage plan that is best for their family.

For more information on the KanCare reviewal process, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment has released a comprehensive fact sheet.

Original source can be found here.