Over a half dozen healthcare centers in Southeast Kansas join more than 100 others statewide urging state legislators to expand Medicaid in Kansas.

In a letter sent to the legislature, Coffeyville Regional Medical Center CEO Brian Lawrence and Labette Health CEO Brian Williams urged bipartisan support to expand Medicaid in the state.  Other area healthcare centers signing the letter included Community Healthcare Center of Southeast Kansas, Labette Center for Mental Health, Neosho Memorial Regional Medical Center and Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.

The letter says that too many Kansas workers, primarily in service industries are not offered health insurance through their employers and don’t make enough to buy coverage through the medical insurance marketplace.  These workers often make too much to receive Medicaid. Many of these people do not seek healthcare when needed or go to hospital emergency rooms with the tab covered by the hospitals.