Is Medicaid the Answer to Kansas Financial Woes?

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) – A study shows that Medicaid expansion could potentially turn into a moneymaker for Kansas.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the study was released Tuesday. Study author Deborah Bachrach says the fact that Kansas is facing a budget crisis is “exactly the reason why it needs to evaluate the economics of expansion.”

Kansas is one of 20 states that have not expanded Medicaid under the federal Affordable Care Act.

Six Kansas health foundations, including the Wichita-based Kansas Health Foundation, commissioned Manatt Health Solutions to study the financial impact of Medicaid expansion in Kansas. Manatt evaluates Medicaid expansion for states and foundations across the country.

Gov. Sam Brownback’s office questioned the study’s credibility because one of the study’s authors previously directed the Center for Medicaid and State Operations under Kathleen Sebelius.