Governor Seeks To Pay For Medicaid Expansion In Kansas By Legalizing Medicinal Marijuana

By Tim Carpenter, the Kansas Reflector

February 1, 2021

OVERLAND PARK — Gov. Laura Kelly shook up debate about Medicaid expansion in Kansas by proposing Monday the state finance extending health care to as many as 165,000 low-income Kansans with revenue from legalizing medicinal marijuana.

Both political issues have been debated in the Kansas Capitol for years, but opposition among Republicans stalled movement on marijuana and Medicaid policy embraced by dozens of states. One objection from skeptics of Medicaid expansion has been the cost to Kansas, which would be obligated for 10% of new expenditures with the federal government covering the remaining 90%.

Broadening eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act — a step taken by the four states surrounding Kansas — has been a potent source of controversy since signed into law in 2010 by President Barack Obama. Former Govs. Sam Brownback and Jeff Colyer joined with the GOP-led House and Senate to block expansion of those eligible for medical services under KanCare, the state’s privatized version of Medicaid. KanCare serves approximately 400,000 Kansans, and the reform would extend reach of that program to 130,000 to 165,000 adults and children.

Legalization of medical marijuana appeared to have more traction among Republican legislators in Kansas who consider it a practical, humanitarian step to people with chronic illness. Bills introduced in the Legislature would highly regulate access to medicinal quantities of marijuana that would be available only with a physician’s prescription. Opposition remains among lawmakers who don’t believe any form of marijuana should be legal.

Kelly, who took office in 2019, has made Medicaid expansion one of her top legislative priorities. The Democratic governor also has been a proponent for medicinal marijuana.

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