During a town hall hosted by the Kansas Health Foundation (KHF) in Wichita, Governor Laura Kelly and Ed O’Malley, KHF President and CEO, discussed the importance of Medicaid expansion and its potential impact on the state of Kansas. The event, which took place as the Kansas Legislature returned to the Statehouse, highlighted the benefits of expanding Medicaid for rural hospitals, strengthening the health care workforce, and benefiting various sectors such as law enforcement, small businesses, and local taxpayers.
Governor Kelly emphasized how increasing access to health care coverage would bring positive effects to Kansas as part of her “Healthy Workers, Healthy Economy” tour. She urged Senators to vote in favor of debating and voting on Medicaid expansion to empower communities across the state. Expanding Medicaid in Kansas would provide 150,000 residents with access to affordable health care coverage. This expansion is also projected to create 23,000 new jobs, help address the health care worker shortage, and inject over $1 billion annually into hospitals and health centers.
Ed O’Malley stressed the importance of finding solutions that work for the people of the state and how Medicaid expansion could help reduce health care costs and increase coverage eligibility for Kansans. Despite invitations extended to legislative leaders like Kansas House Speaker Dan Hawkins and Senate President Ty Masterson, they declined to participate in the event. Members of the public were encouraged to reach out to their legislators in support of Medicaid expansion.
The town hall was an opportunity for Governor Kelly and Ed O’Malley to engage with business owners, community leaders, and audience members from the Wichita area about