19 Senators Vote Against Rural Hospitals, Against Cutting Healthcare Costs, and Against Keeping Tax Dollars in Kansas

19 state Senators vote against expanding Medicaid in Kansas

April 26, 2024

TOPEKA – The Kansas Senate voted against Medicaid Expansion today, defying the will of over 70% of Kansas voters– of which 61% of Republican and 83% of small business owners favor expanding Medicaid in Kansas. Kansas is one of ten states that has yet to expand Medicaid.

“Kansans work hard to provide the best life for their families day in and day out. We expect our leaders to do the same for Kansans by expanding Medicaid to lower healthcare costs for all Kansans, help strengthen rural hospitals, and keep our hard-earned tax dollars right here in our state,” Lauren Fitzgerald, senior advisor to the Kansas Coalition for Common Sense, said. “It’s disappointing that extreme Republicans- once again- voted against what is best for Kansas. It’s time our leaders put politics aside, and do right by Kansas families, workers, and businesses.”

Medicaid Expansion would sustain and protect rural hospitals throughout Kansas. Since 2005, ten rural hospitals in Kansas have closed. A recent report stated that 59 of the state’s rural hospitals are in jeopardy of closing. And 28 of those are at immediate risk of collapse. Expansion would lower the amount of uncompensated care the hospitals have to take on. Kansas cannot afford to wait any longer.

Medicaid Expansion would lower healthcare costs for all Kansans by reducing the number of uninsured Kansans and reducing the amount of uncompensated care. When uninsured Kansans go to the hospital and can’t pay their bill, the hospitals must cover that cost and often raise healthcare prices to cover their bottom line.

Medicaid Expansion would keep Kansans’ hard-earned tax dollars in the state instead of sending it to other states like California and New York. So far, Kansans have paid billions of dollars in federal taxes that have benefited Americans in other states that did expand Medicaid. The taxes Kansans pay should benefit the people who are paying them here at home. These tax dollars should support healthcare in Kansas communities.

These Kansas state Senators voted against expanding Medicaid:

  • Senator Larry Alley
  • Senator Molly Baumgardner
  • Senator Chase Blasi
  • Senator J.R. Claeys
  • Senator Renee Erickson
  • Senator Michael Fagg
  • Senator Beverly Gossage
  • Senator Dan Kerschen
  • Senator Rick Kloos
  • Senator Ty Masterson
  • Senator Virgil Peck
  • Senator Mike Petersen
  • Senator Dennis Pyle
  • Senator Mark Steffen
  • Senator Alicia Straub
  • Senator Mike Thompson
  • Senator Caryn Tyson
  • Senator Kellie Warren
  • Senator Rick Wilborn

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