TOPEKA — Nearly 50 health organizations signed a letter urging the Kansas governor to veto a budget provision that would end continuous eligibility in the state’s Medicaid program, which allows public health insurance enrollees to consistently access health care.
If allowed to become law, the budget provision would require the state to evaluate parents and caregivers who receive coverage under KanCare, as Medicaid is known in Kansas, to be evaluated every month instead of every year. Currently, eligible enrollees are covered under KanCare for an entire year once approved, regardless of any change in circumstances during that time.
The Hutchinson-based United Methodist Health Ministry Fund drafted the letter, which was delivered Tuesday to Gov. Laura Kelly with signatures from 48 organizations. David Jordan, president and CEO of the health fund, said allowing the provision to pass could mean adding between $3-4 million in costs to the state and lost health insurance coverage for low-income families.
An estimated 38,000 Kansans would be impacted by the change, the letter said.
“This change will affect the most vulnerable Kansans who live well below the poverty line,” the letter said. “The constant dis-enrollment and re-enrollment of beneficiaries is burdensome for everyone and could prevent families from receiving the necessary care they need.”
Kansas has used continuous eligibility since 2010.
In order to qualify for KanCare, households must remain below income thresholds. A family of four, for instance, cannot exceed an annual income of roughly $11,800.
“These families already have enough challenges on their plates without the added burden of continuously reapplying for health insurance,” the letter said.
Research has shown that continuous eligibility reduces financial barriers for low-income families, improves health outcomes and gives states the ability to exercise accountability measures.
Other signers of the letter included advocacy health care providers, patient groups, foundations like United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and advocacy groups like Kansas Action for Children.
Adrienne Olejnik, vice president of Kansas Action for Children, said the organization is concerned.
“Not only is this a waste of money on administrative costs, but it would also cause health care disruptions and delays based on small changes in income,” she said.
Olejnik said the Senate Ways and Means Committee added the provision to a budget bill at the last minute. She said she hopes a veto from the governor will allow lawmakers to fully consider the weight of the change.
Kelly, whose office declined to comment for this story, has until Thursday to veto line items in the budget. The Legislature’s two-day veto session also is scheduled to begin Thursday.
Kansas Reflector is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Kansas Reflector maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sherman Smith for questions: info@kansasreflector.com. Follow Kansas Reflector on Facebook and Twitter.
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