RELEASE: Kansas Action for Children calls for Medicaid expansion

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Feb. 1, 2021

TOPEKA, Kansas – For the good of Kansas children and their families, Medicaid expansion is the right thing to do. It was the right thing to do after the Affordable Care Act was passed more than a decade ago, and it remains the right thing to do today as our state faces the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are happy to see a new initiative to expand the program. Kansas Action for Children supports expansion this session, as we have in the past. We do not have a position on the medical cannabis proposal.

Research has shown that expanding Medicaid benefits babies, children, adults, and their communities. Insured children are more likely to enter school ready to learn, graduate, and become healthy, productive adults. Expansion will improve families’ financial security, enabling children to get better care from healthier parents.

Children’s health also reflects the health and well-being of their parents. When parents are insured, children are more likely to receive checkups and crucial preventative care such as immunizations. Overall, the policy reduces poverty and supports working families -- during a time when our economy and job market have suffered.

We believe that all sides can come together to pass an expansion plan that brings these benefits to the people of Kansas. KAC stands willing to help in any way possible to ensure that every single child and family in Kansas has the health insurance they need.