This morning, Sam Brownback is expected to Veto Kansas Medicaid Expansion bill. The bill passed with significant majorities in both House & Senate. The bill, though, fell barely short of the margins needed to veto override — by 2 votes in the Senate, as an example.
But in order to protect his planned Veto, conservatives in the House are working to make sure that Kansas residents have as little say as possible in the process. How? By making sure that the Veto Override call happens immediately after — as soon as today, to prevent constituents from reaching out to their legislators and telling them they need to vote YES or change their vote from a NO to a YES.
Let’s not let the Governor use procedural trickery to prevent you from having a voice. If you’re a resident, here are the legislators we really need to contact, and let’s put some pressure down.
Celia Llopis-Jepson, from the CJOnline put up a fantastic chart showing you the impact per district on each vote: clj.carto.com/…
Armed with some information, these are the names we really need to contact TODAY, Immediately! We'll add as more come in:
House:
Patton – 785-296-7460
Finch – 785-296-7655
Francis – 785-296-7466
Siewert – 785-296-7647
Thimesch – 785-296-7105 — sale of a hospital ongoing in their district as well as a high risks.. Medicad Expansion would be a big benefit.
Hold These are YES votes we need to make sure stay YES: Aurand, 785-296-7637 Arnberger 785-296-7363
Senate:
Petersen 785-296-7355
Estes 785-296-7359
Alley 785-296-7381 - Alley's district contains WINFIELD, which is one of the five most "at risk" hospitals in the state. Alley’s senate district is one most impacted by
Tyson 785-296-6838 - Tyson's district contains the two largest at home disability care advocate placement in the state; medicaid expansion would be huge to them. Also, at risk in Fort Scott Hospital.
Baumgardner 785-296-7368
Also add to this list: Denning, who was concerned with a fiscal note he didn't understand; he got confused how this could be net positive in the fiscal note "how is that possible without copays" he said; but the answer is simple: hospitals who consume less unpaid debt are more likely to hire and grow... meanwhile, his district is also home to multiple manufacturing companies that produce goods for at home care services; guess what? They would benefit immediately.
If you've got time.. reach out. You can also contact:
Nicholas Wood: 785-424-0779 nicholas@expandkancare.com
UPDATES from Debate:
Rep Jim Ward, House leader choked up, calls for adjournment until Monday: “Let the people talk to you first, before you make this vote” motion fails.
Rep. Cindy Holsher: “Who do we represent, the special interest or the 82% of Kansans who want this?”
Thursday, Mar 30, 2017 · 6:01:41 PM +00:00
·
Chris Reeves
Democratic Senate Leader Anthony Hensley releases statement:
Hensley: Governor’s veto is a disappointment, disservice to Kansas
The following statement is attributed to Senate Democratic Leader Anthony Hensley:
“Governor Brownback’s veto is a disappointment and disservice to Kansas.
“His refusal to expand Medicaid has already cost our state more than $1.7 billion in our own tax dollars. Even the Alvarez and Marsal efficiency study recommended that the Legislature make sure federal tax dollars paid by Kansans are coming back to fully fund services that can be provided to Kansans.
“Without Medicaid expansion, more than 150,000 working Kansans will continue to go without access to health care. These Kansans earn too much to qualify for Medicaid, but too little to afford private health care.
“The governor’s veto also puts rural hospitals and other rural health care providers in jeopardy. One-third of rural hospitals, or more than 30 hospitals, are considered financially vulnerable. Medicaid expansion means the difference between staying open or closing their doors.
“Finally, Medicaid expansion creates thousands of new jobs. The governor’s veto eliminates that opportunity.”