Medicaid Expansion
Starting on Friday, January 24, and through Thursday, January 30, the Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare held hearings on Senate Bill 252, which is the Senate’s version of Medicaid Expansion. The testimony from the proponents, those neutral, and opponents was presented to the committee.
The proponent testimony was presented and focused on the federal funding which would assist hospitals with revenue streams, increasing expenditures for health costs to low income individuals, and projections of job growth from an increase in state spending.
The neutral testimony was presented and they expressed concerns regarding the lack of coverage in Medicaid Expansion for chiropractic services, possibility of funds being expended for abortions, and expansion of the Kansas Insurance Department’s role beyond its current statutory purpose. The opponents to Medicaid Expansion then provided their testimony.
The opposition emphasized concerns regarding the lack of work requirements for new Medicaid enrollees covered under expansion, possibility of funds being used for abortions, incorrect estimations of enrollees leading to increases in state expenditures, and an increase to the waiting lists for new enrollees. Senate Bill 252 is projected to cost more than $40 million in fiscal year 2022 by providing roughly 150,000 Kansas with Medicaid insurance.
Judicial Funding Lawsuit Dismissed
The Kansas Supreme Court dismissed a lawsuit, filed back on December 20, 2019, by six trial judges seeking to compel the state legislature to increase funding for the Judicial Branch. Chief Justice Marla Luckert noted in the Court’s decision that the power of the purse, an ability to allocate funds, is constitutionally a power delegated to the Legislature and not the Judiciary. She also commented that cooperation between the two branches is the best way to resolve the funding complaints brought forward by the plaintiffs. House Speaker Ron Ryckman responded, “I am pleased that our peers in the judicial branch agree that we as legislators are the sole appropriators of taxpayer dollars. I appreciate the Court’s recognition of separation of powers and their renewed commitment to open communication. It’s a good day for Kansas.”
Well-Plugging Assurance Funds
During my time in the legislature, there has been numerous discussions regarding funds that are used by the Kansas Corporate Commission (KCC) to plug abandoned oil wells in the State of Kansas. Currently, there are two designated funds regarding these abandoned wells. One of the funds are for those abandoned wells prior to 1996 and the other for the wells after 1996.
In my first session, while I was a member of the Agriculture and Natural Resources Budget committee, we discussed these two funds. After further discussions, the KCC and the Kansas Independent Oil and Gas Association (KIOGA) have requested that these two funds be combined.
Currently, there are nearly 5,000 abandoned oil wells in the state of Kansas that need to be plugged. The fund for the wells after 1996 has only been utilized once, which substantiates the need to combine these two funds.
This past Thursday, January 30, I introduced three bills which will combine these two funds in the Appropriations Committee. We will be scheduling a hearing on all three bills soon.
Contact Information
Anytime that one would like to participate and listen to the developments of committee hearings or discussion on the House floor, one can tune in by listening to the audio footage at www.kslegislature.org.
As always, if you have any concerns, feel free to contact me (785) 296-7672, follow on twitter at #waymaster4house, or email me at [email protected]. Also, if you happen to visit the statehouse, please let my office know.
It is a distinct honor to serve as your representative for the 109th Kansas House District and the state of Kansas. Please do not hesitate to contact me with your thoughts, concerns, and questions. I always appreciate hearing from the residents of the 109th House District and others from the state of Kansas, as well.
My family and I wish all of you a Happy New Year and a prosperous 2020!