Medicaid expansion moves forward in Kansas as federal vote looms

The Wichita Eagle: Kansas state lawmakers advanced a Medicaid expansion proposal on Thursday even as Congress prepared to vote on a bill that could halt states from expanding the program.

Supporters of expanding KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, said the debate in Kansas can’t be dictated by Washington. Opponents urged lawmakers to wait until the federal health care debate progresses.

The Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee passed the expansion proposal, House Bill 2044, on a voice vote. The bill now heads to the Senate floor. The committee chairwoman, Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, predicts the Senate will debate the bill.

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