Dan Murray, state director of the National Federation of Independent Business, released the following statement today in response to passage of House Bill 2044, legislation to expand the state’s Medicaid program:
“We understand the desire by many in the Legislature to expand Medicaid, but Kansas can’t afford it. We believe expanding an underfunded, cumbersome, and poorly administered program like Medicaid would be irresponsible.
“The future of federal health-care programs like Medicaid is too uncertain. Congress didn’t vote on the American Health Care Act, but that doesn’t mean the issue is going away. There’s no guarantee that Washington will continue to fund an expanded Medicaid program indefinitely. When the federal money runs out, the burden of paying for it will fall squarely on the backs of ordinary Kansans in the form of higher taxes to cover the enormous bills.
“That’s why we’re asking Governor Brownback to veto HB2044. Kansas is already trying to manage a massive budget shortfall. We can’t afford any programs, no matter how well intentioned, that could make things even worse.”
NFIB is the nation’s leading small-business association. To learn more, visit www.NFIB.com/KS and follow @NFIB_KS on Twitter.
