Time for some offense: Let's take action on some good legislation for a change!
Tired of always playing defense in Kansas? Here's your chance to fight for something good for Kansans.
First things first, we finally have some questions answered.
The Chiefs are heading to…
Taylor can make it to the game—Tokyo (first leg of her international tour) is 17 hours ahead. She can basically travel back in time to continue her Chiefs Era.
Governor Kelly vetoed the flat tax bill. Watch for a more detailed action item, but feel free to email your legislators (ksleglookup.org) and ask them to vote no on any attempt to override her veto. Learn more about flat tax concerns here and here.
Let’s channel the Chiefs offense
In Kansas we spend a lot of time on defense, opposing harmful bills. But, this session we have the opportunity to fight for some things that could really benefit Kansans.
Send a quick email to legislators by clicking the links above. More details on each issue can be found below.
Multiply your impact! Engage your friends—inform them on these issues and ask them to send emails.
A team effort is required! Mahomes and Kelce didn’t make it to the Super Bowl on their own. It’s going to take a team effort to score some wins in Kansas.
Medicaid Expansion
Kansas is one of only 10 states that has not expanded Medicaid, despite close attempts at expansion in 2017, 2019, and 2020.1
Around 150,000 Kansans fall into a coverage gap. They make too much to be eligible for Medicaid and too little to be eligible for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA, aka Obamacare). When enacted, the ACA did not anticipate that states would be permitted to forgo Medicaid expansion.
Take some time to read these coverage gap stories from real Kansans.
Governor Kelly has unveiled a bi-partisan deal to expand Medicaid. Additionally, the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas, a coalition of more than 130 organizations and leaders across the state, support expansion. They are asking Kansans to reach out to their legislators to get a hearing on Medicaid Expansion.
According to the annual Kansas Speaks Survey from Fort Hays State University, 70% of Kansans support expanding Medicaid.
Benefits of Medicaid Expansion
This list is not all inclusive. More details can be found here and here.
150,000 low income Kansans would gain access to medical care.
Protects Kansans from medical debt.
About $700 million in annual federal funding would flow into the state. Governor Kelly’s proposal is revenue neutral.
Healthcare costs for everyone would be reduced. Emergency rooms are treating Kansans without the ability to pay, raising the costs of health care for everyone.
Addresses the mental health crisis with improved access to care and medication.
Preserves and strengthens rural healthcare. Rural hospitals face high levels of uncompensated care; 59 of the remaining 102 rural hospitals across Kansas are in danger of closing.
Fully Fund Special Education
We still haven’t seen movement in the legislature on this issue. If you haven’t reached out to your legislators, please do. And please engage your friends. If your legislators support the full funding of SPED, still send an email and copy the majority and minority leaders in the House and Senate (Ty.Masterson@senate.ks.gov, Dinah.Sykes@senate.ks.gov, dan.hawkins@house.ks.gov, Vic.Miller@house.ks.gov).
Information about the underfunding of special education (SPED) was included in the January 15 Substack and you can find the highlights below.
Special Education Facts
Over 90,000 students in Kansas receive SPED services. These can include services such as speech therapy, reading interventions, behavioral supports, or more complex care.
Public schools are federally mandated to provide SPED services. Kansas mandates go above and beyond federal requirements to include gifted education. Kansas added dyslexia mandates in 2023 without adding more funding.
Private school students receive SPED services from our public schools.
The state is mandated to cover 92% of excess special education costs.
The state has not met their 92% obligation since 2011; the shortfall has been growing year after year.
Statewide shortfall is estimated to be $173 million for fiscal year 2024.
All students are impacted by the underfunding of SPED. To cover the shortfall, districts must take funds from the general education budget. All students, including those receiving special education services, are at a disadvantage when less funds are available for general education.
The Governor, the State Board of Education, and a Special Education Task Force are advocating for fully funding special education. They have all provided the legislature with plans to phase-in the funding to meet the 92% obligation.
Thanks for taking action to create some positive change in Kansas!
In 2017, Medicaid Expansion passed only to be vetoed by Governor Brownback. The veto override fell short by 3 votes in the House and 2 votes in the Senate.
In 2019, the House passed Medicaid Expansion, but one vote prevented Medicaid Expansion from being debated on the Senate floor.
In 2020, the Governor and the Senate Majority Leader forged a bi-partisan agreement to expand Medicaid only to have it scuttled by the Senate President, Susan Wagle, who attempted to use Medicaid Expansion as leverage in her failed attempt to put the abortion amendment on the ballot. The abortion amendment ultimately ended up on the ballot in 2022, where it was resoundingly defeated by Kansas voters.