Three local lawmakers supported the effort Monday in the Kansas House to override Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s veto of Medicaid expansion in the state.
It wasn’t enough, though. Although the House voted 81-44 to override the veto, it fell three votes short of the two-thirds majority necessary to overturn it.
Republican Rep. Tom Phillips and Democratic Rep. Sydney Carlin — both of Manhattan — voted in favor of the override, as did Republican Rep. Susie Swanson of Clay Center.
Rep. Ron Highland of rural Wamego in Wabaunsee County voted against.
Sen. Tom Hawk of Manhattan supported the bill’s passage in the Senate before Brownback quickly nixed it Friday.
The bill would have extended the state’s health coverage for the poor, disabled and elderly under former President Barack Obama’s health care law to cover up to 180,000 more adults.
Brownback has been a vocal critic of the 2010 Affordable Care Act.
According to the Associated Press, Brownback argued in his veto message that expanding Medicaid would burden the state with what he called “unrestrainable” costs. Supporters said it would be a net plus for the state.
