Kansas is one of only 10 states in the U.S. who hasn't expanded its Medicaid program yet. Join hosts from the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas to discuss the latest topics in Health in Kansas, the 34th state, including Medicaid expansion, the rise of medical debt, preserving rural health care, and other ways we can get access to affordable health care to our friends, family and neighbors in the Sunflower State.
In this episode we take a look at the last 15 years of health in the United States and Kansas, specifically walking through the events that led Kansas to be one of the last 10 states to expand our Medicaid program. The Affordable Care Act was signed into law on March 23, 2010, and most parts of the law came into effect on January 1, 2014. What happened between those two dates that led to Kansas going from an innovative, early adopter of health improvements, to falling behind of much of the rest of the country? Also, find out why we believe the 2025 legislative session is one of the best chances we have of expanding Medicaid in Kansas, and how you can get involved to make sure it happens. For resources and more information, find us at ExpandKanCare.com or @ExpandKanCare on Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok.
In this episode we talk about the Storycorps Training that we recently held in Wichita, including how even our best contingency plans didn't prepare us for what we encountered. Plus: stories are one of the most powerful tools that advocates can use to effect policy change. We talk about why stories of Kansans living in the health insurance coverage gap are so critical to our work, and what you can expect if you consider sharing your story with us.
In this episode, we break down what Medicaid Expansion isn't, so you can better understand what it is. We answer many questions we hear from everyday Kansans, including the following: > Is Medicaid expansion a federal mandate for states? > Will Medicaid expansion harm Kansans with disabilities? > How will nursing homes be affected by Medicaid expansion? > Will Medicaid expansion really reduce health care costs for everyone? > And more! For more information about Medicaid expansion or the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, visit ExpandKanCare.com or find us on social media - @ExpandKanCare on Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram.
Work requirements are a common bargaining chip for some policymakers when legislating programs like Medicaid, SNAP and TANF. But do they really work to increase employment rates for enrollees in these programs?In this episode we talk to Laura Harker, senior policy analyst at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, about the history of work requirements and what other states have experienced when trying to implement them.Bottom line: work requirements don't work like many think they will. Instead of increasing employment, they end up taking critical health care away from those who need it the most.Resources from this episode:Expanding Work Requirements Would Make It Harder for People to Meet Basic Needs (CBPP research article, March 2023) Taking Medicaid Away for Not Meeting a Work-Reporting Requirement Would Keep People From Health Care (CBPP research article, April 2023) Can You Keep Your Medicaid in Arkansas? digital boardgame
