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Group Delivers 2,800 Signatures Asking Brownback To Expand Medicaid

Stephen Koranda

Supporters of expanding Medicaid delivered nearly 3,000 signatures to Gov. Sam Brownback's office Wednesday, asking him to support an expansion of the state's Medicaid program.

Anna Lambertson is with a coalition of organizations pushing for Medicaid expansion. She spoke during a rally at the Statehouse.

“We could bring more health care related jobs to Kansas, and improve the health of our workforce," she said. "Healthy workers, as I’m sure you know already, mean a productive workforce. That’s good for our employers and for our state."

Lambertson said the state could improve the health and financial security of hard-working Kansans, many of whom are uninsured.

Speaking with reporters Wednesday, Brownback said he's still considering options and looking at what other states are doing.

“What I want to do is something that we can afford and carry the freight for the long period,” he said.

Medicaid is a health care program for the aged, disabled and low-income. In Kansas, the income requirements for adults to qualify are very strict. Expanding the program would allow more Kansans to be covered.