Yesterday, Governor Laura Kelly vetoed a junk insurance bill that would have discriminated against Kansans with a preexisting condition and left Kansas families on the hook for surprise medical bills.
Here’s what they’re saying:
Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes (SD-21): “A healthy Kansas is a productive Kansas, and Kansas Democrats have time and again proposed a proven way to make Kansas a healthier, more productive state through Medicaid expansion. It is telling that Kansas Republicans’ solution is to expand predatory and discriminatory insurance policies. Junk insurance plans hurt our most vulnerable in the risk pool by increasing premiums for comprehensive coverage, cap benefits for major health events like heart attacks, and exclude coverage for essential health benefits such as maternity care. I appreciate that Governor Kelly put Kansans’ health and economic outcomes first by vetoing this bill, and remain ready to work with my colleagues across the aisle to truly address healthcare access in our state.”
Kansas House Democrats: “We support @GovLauraKelly‘s veto of SB 29. Junk insurance doesn’t provide comprehensive or cost-effective coverage, especially for major illnesses. It’s discriminatory against people with pre-existing conditions and can lead to gaps in coverage. Kansans deserve better. #ksleg”
KDP Chair Vicki Hiatt: “After a global pandemic, the Kansas legislature should be focused on expanding Medicaid — not non-solutions like junk insurance plans which are far less comprehensive and discriminate against Kansans with pre-existing conditions. The KDP commends Governor Laura Kelly for vetoing this bill and continuing to fight for Medicaid expansion.”
State Senator Ethan Corson (SD-07): “I spoke out against this bill on the Senate floor and am really happy to see this veto. Instead of pushing junk insurance, the #ksleg should be working in a bipartisan manner to make quality, comprehensive health insurance affordable for all Kansas families.”
Christina Cowart, ACS CAN Kansas Grassroots Manager: “We thank Governor Kelly for rejecting this inherently harmful bill and for protecting Kansans from finding themselves without coverage for lifesaving medical treatment despite paying for a health plan. We encourage our state lawmakers to sustain this veto and to direct their efforts toward expanding Medicaid. Providing Kansans access to affordable, comprehensive health care coverage is one of the most critical steps they can take to fight cancer.”
Lindsey Stillwell, Kansas State Advocacy Committee Chair, American Heart Association: “The American Heart Association applauds Governor Kelly and believes all health plans should cover a full range of needed health benefits. Short term plans can pose significant emotional and financial risk for Kansas families. Thanks to increased subsidies and affordability of ACA coverage, Kansas families do not need to sacrifice comprehensive coverage for the sake of affordability.”
Dana Bacon, Kansas government affairs director with The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: “We’re grateful for Governor Kelly’s commitment to protecting Kansans whose medical histories used to make it impossible to find reliable health insurance. Short-term health plans pose serious and often underestimated risks to people facing illness and discriminate against people who’ve experienced cancer. Kansas lawmakers would do well to pass stronger coverage options such as Medicaid expansion to meet the needs of uninsured Kansans.”