State Representative Ron Bryce expects Medicaid expansion to be up for discussion again as the Kansas Legislature begins its new session on January 13th.
Bryce, who represents the 11th district that includes Coffeyville, Cherryvale, and parts of Independence, was recently appointed as the Vice-Chair of the House Health Committee by House Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita). Bryce says that, as a practicing physician, health issues are of great importance to him. Medicaid expansion has been a major issue for Governor Laura Kelly and it will likely remain so in the new session. Bryce says his goal is to make healthcare work for all Kansans.
Around a half million Kansans are currently on Medicaid at a cost of nearly $5 billion. Bryce says the problem with expanding the program is that rural doctors and hospitals would benefit very little.
Bryce adds that currently rural providers are reimbursed much less than those in a population center for the same patient. He endorses a site-neutral approach to eliminate the discrepancies in reimbursement. Such a move could make rural areas more likely to attract doctors.
