Sen. Terry Bruce
Rep. Daniel Hawkins
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Two Republican leaders don’t believe the Kansas Legislature needs to take action on health care issues because of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision upholding a key part of the federal overhaul.
Senate Majority Leader Terry Bruce of Nickerson and House health committee Chairman Dan Hawkins of Wichita said Thursday that they were disappointed in the decision.
They believe the law wasn’t written to allow insurance subsidies for consumers buying coverage through the federal online marketplace in states like Kansas that refused to set up their own.
But Bruce had worried that if the high court invalidated the subsidies, pressure would build on lawmakers to expand the state’s Medicaid program. Bruce said the court’s ruling triggered a relief valve.
Hawkins said he doesn’t see the need for any state response.