Gov. Medicaid Expansion push snubbed; When will lawmakers take up bill?

TOPEKA (KSNT)- Kansas Republicans have snubbed an important deadline for the state's Democratic Governor. Kansas Governor Laura Kelly called on lawmakers to hold a hearing on her Medicaid Expansion bill by "Kansas Day" on Monday. However, both of her bills in the House and Senate are sitting in committee, and it may stay that way for a while.

Kansas Capitol Bureau spoke with Republican leaders in the House Health committee. Chair Brenda Landwehr, R-Wichita, said that they don't plan on taking up the House bill for a hearing until after "Turnaround" Day.

"We're the Legislature... we set the schedule... not the Governor," Landwehr said when asked about the Governor's requested date.

Turnaround Day is February 23. It's the last day to consider non-exempt bills in the house of origin.

"Turnaround means that's the last day to take action in its house of origin... so, that in and of itself tells you that doesn't sound like the Chairwoman's very serious about moving the bill along," House Minority Leader Vic Miller, D-Topeka, told Kansas Capitol Bureau. 

Miller introduced the bill on the House side. It expands Medicaid to 150,000 Kansans, and it includes work requirements for people with coverage.

Miller said putting off the hearing could make the proposal less likely to pass this year. 

"The jury's out as to whether a fair hearing will actually be conducted," he said. 

Kansas is one of 10 states that have not expanded Medicaid. 

Miller said he's waiting to see if the bill will come up for a hearing, citing past discussions with Republican leadership that fell through.

"We'll see what happens after the hearing...," Rep. Landwehr said.