TOPEKA — A task force created by Gov. Jeff Colyer is recommending that the Kansas Legislature expand Medicaid to include an estimated 150,000 uninsured Kansans.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports Thursday’s vote by the task force would expand Medicaid with a focus on helping people with substance abuse problems.
Sen. Barbara Bollier, a Mission Hills Republican, says an estimated one-third of people eligible for expanded Medicaid have addiction issues.
The Legislature voted last year to broaden eligibility for Medicaid but then-Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed it. Colyer, who replaced Brownback, also opposed expanding Medicaid.
Colyer lost the GOP primary for governor to Secretary of State Kris Kobach, who said Thursday he also opposes expanding Medicaid.
The Democratic nominee for governor, Laura Kelly, and independent gubernatorial candidate Greg Orman support increasing Medicaid eligibility in Kansas.