TOPEKA — Kansas’ Republican-controlled Legislature has approved an expansion of the state’s Medicaid program under the federal Affordable Care Act.
The state Senate voted 25-14 on Tuesday for legislation that would expand state health coverage to thousands of poor adults. The House approved it last month on an 81-44 vote, meaning the measure now goes to conservative Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
Brownback has been a vocal critic of the federal health care law championed by former President Barack Obama. Brownback hasn’t said he would veto the bill, but lawmakers expect it.
The bill’s supporters would need 27 of 40 votes in the Senate and 84 of 125 in the House for the two-thirds majorities for overriding a veto.
Sen. Tom Hawk of Manhattan voted in favor of the bill.
The House passed the measure last month after expansion supporters tried unsuccessfully for four years to get a floor debate and vote.
Opponents in the Statehouse have largely relied on cost and uncertainty over what Congress will do to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act as reasons not to expand.
But supporters say congressional Republicans’ failure to vote on their health care bill last week is more reason to expand. They contend expansion would be an economic boon to the state.
Brownback has stopped short of saying that he would veto the bill.
Brownback spokeswoman Melika Willoughby said Monday in an email that that it would be irresponsible to “expand ObamaCare when the program is in a death spiral.”
The 2010 overhaul of the U.S. health care system championed by former President Barack Obama encouraged states to expand their Medicaid programs by promising to pay most of the cost.
Brownback said in a letter with other GOP governors to congressional leaders last week that expanding Medicaid under Obama’s policies moved the program away from its “core mission” of helping the truly vulnerable.
Other states pursuing Medicaid expansions under the 2010 U.S. law include Maine, North Carolina and Virginia.
