2018 KS Governor's race: on Health Care

Laura Kelly: Ban gatherings over 10, including church, for coronavirus

Kelly announced she was removing exemptions for churches and funerals from a statewide order that limits gatherings of more than 10 individuals. The Legislative Coordinating Council then voted 5-2 along party lines to rescind the governor's order. The action invited confusion about whether there is no longer a statewide ban on any kind of large public gathering.

"[This] confusing and overtly political attack [was a] a shockingly irresponsible decision that will put every Kansas life at risk," Kelly said. Governors in 44 states have imposed similar restrictions on church attendance. But Republicans complained that Kelly had overstepped her authority by restricting religious gatherings. "It appears to be out of line, extreme and clearly a blatant violation of our fundamental rights," said Senate president Susan Wagle.

Laura Kelly: Expand Medicaid, without further study or compromises

If Kansas increases eligibility in the program, which provides health coverage to low-income individuals and individuals with disabilities, to 138 percent of the federal poverty level, then the federal government will pay for 90 percent of the cost. For a family of four, that's $35,535 a year. The state's share of the cost of expansion has been estimated at somewhere between $34 million and $47 million a year.

Jeff Colyer: Helped privatize Medicaid as KanCare

Jeff Colyer: Open meetings on KanCare instead of invitation-only

Carl Brewer: We all deserve health care, even the poor

Brewer favors Medicaid expansion, saying that "We're all equal and we all deserve the opportunity" to get health care. Denying care to the poor is "like saying 'You're not worth it,'" he said.

Hartman said he understands that Medicaid expansion is an important issue for the survival of hospitals, but "We do not have the money here in the state of Kansas to fund it." Hartman, an oilman and restaurant owner, is running as a business outsider and said that if he's elected, he'll use his business experience to identify waste in the state budget so that those dollars can be spent on something more important, like health care.

Wink Hartman: Medicaid expansion is important, but Kansas can't fund it

Brewer favors Medicaid expansion, saying that "We're all equal and we all deserve the opportunity" to get health care. Denying care to the poor is "like saying 'You're not worth it,'" he said.

Hartman said he understands that Medicaid expansion is an important issue for the survival of hospitals, but "We do not have the money here in the state of Kansas to fund it." Hartman, an oilman and restaurant owner, is running as a business outsider and said that if he's elected, he'll use his business experience to identify waste in the state budget so that those dollars can be spent on something more important, like health care.