Kansas pursues Medicaid expansion, Maine insurance market changes

Jan 10, 2020 - 02:51 PM
Medicaid enrollment

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly has reached agreement with Senate Republicans on a bipartisan proposal to expand Medicaid eligibility to low-income uninsured adults by 2021. The proposal would expand eligibility to residents earning up to 138% of the federal poverty level, with the federal government financing 90% of the cost for the newly eligible and a “hospital surcharge” to help offset the state’s share of expansion costs. Kansas Hospital Association President and CEO Tom Bell called the proposal “the most significant progress we have seen in the Medicaid expansion debate in Kansas.” In other state news, Maine Gov. Janet Mills this week announced agreement with lawmakers on bipartisan legislation that would merge the state’s small group and individual health insurance markets and extend reinsurance to small businesses in an effort to stabilize the markets and lower premiums.

Related News Articles

Headline
Survey finds Medicaid enrollment fell in FY 2025, expects flattening in 2026, while spending increases  
Medicaid enrollment decreased 7.6% in fiscal year 2025 and is expected to be mostly flat in FY 2026, according to KFF’s annual Medicaid Budget Survey released…
Headline
House vote expected on government funding package
The House is expected to begin a final vote Nov. 12 on the Senate-backed funding package, bringing a potential end to the government shutdown one step closer.…
Headline
Senate passes funding legislation, sends to House for consideration 
The Senate Nov. 10 passed legislation to fund the federal government that will now head to the House for a vote as early as the evening of Nov. 12, as an end…
Headline
Senate reaches deal to potentially end government shutdown this week
The Senate Nov. 9 took a critical first step toward ending the government shutdown as seven Democrats and Sen. Angus King, I-Maine, joined Republicans to…
Headline
Senate negotiations ongoing as longest government shutdown in history continues
Senate negotiations on a potential funding deal to end the record-long government shutdown are ongoing, and the chamber is likely to continue working through…
Headline
CMS launches payment model for state Medicaid programs to purchase drugs at most-favored-nation pricing
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is launching a new initiative for state Medicaid programs to purchase prescription drugs at prices aligned…