For Immediate Release:
February 6, 2025
Contact:
Grace Hoge
Grace.Hoge@ks.gov
Governor Kelly’s HAWK Act to Expand Medicaid Introduced in Both Chambers
TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly’s middle-of-the-road proposal to expand Medicaid to 150,000 additional Kansans, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, was introduced into both chambers of the Kansas Legislature this week.
“The Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act protects our rural hospitals, bolsters our health care workforce, and strengthens our economy — all while coming at no cost to Kansans. In fact, by waiting to expand Medicaid, we have wasted over $280 million and left $7.6 billion on the table in Washington D.C.,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “I encourage the legislature to advance Medicaid expansion this session so we can bring Kansas taxpayer dollars back home to support our health care system.”
The bill was introduced in the House Appropriations Committee by Representative Barbara Ballard and in the Senate Ways and Means Committee by Senator Pat Pettey.
“Expanding Medicaid ensures hardworking Kansans can receive preventive care to stay healthy and on the job – benefitting not only our economy but our hospital and health care workforce as well,” said Representative Barbara Ballard, Kansas House District 44. “That is why I introduced the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act so that Kansans can get the critical, timely care they need.”
The passage of Medicaid expansion would create 23,000 new jobs, inject $1.2 billion in annual funding into Kansas’ economy, and reduce health care costs for Kansans. Medicaid expansion would also address the state’s health care workforce shortage while helping safeguard rural hospitals so they can remain open and well-staffed in order to continue serving Kansans across the state.
“My fellow legislators should listen to Kansans who, time and time again, express that they want to see Medicaid expanded in our state,” said Senator Pat Pettey, Kansas Senate District 6. “Kansans deserve quality, affordable health care, and by expanding Medicaid, we can increase this access to 150,000 additional working Kansans and lower health care costs for all.”
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