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KMUW, in partnership with Heartland Health Monitor, KCUR 89.3, and Kansas Public Radio, takes a deep look at the state of Kansas' mental health system.

Health Care PACs Backing Candidates Who Support Medicaid Expansion

Jasleen Kaur
/
flickr Creative Commons

Campaign finance reports out this week show that Kansas health care organizations are putting their checkbooks behind the Medicaid expansion effort.

In previous elections the Kansas Hospital Association’s political action committee distributed contributions pretty evenly, giving to candidates regardless of party or ideology.

Not this year.

The nearly $74,000 it doled out in the most recent reporting period went mostly to candidates who favor Medicaid expansion.

A PAC funded by mental health providers also appears to be backing expansion candidates, writing checks for about $16,000.

Expansion advocates are hoping to have the votes to finally overcome opposition from Gov. Sam Brownback in the 2017 session.