Unfortunately, there are still many in our community who do not have access to health insurance. People of color are at least twice as likely to be uninsured; Black residents have an uninsured rate of 9% and Latino residents have an uninsured rate of 19%, compared to 4% for White residents. Youth and young adults (ages 18-44) have uninsured rates of 7-8%, compared to a 5% uninsured rate in the general population. And, poor and low-income households have higher uninsured rates than households with more income. 

 

In the 31 states and District of Columbia that have expanded Medicaid (the health insurance program for low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities) the uninsured rate has declined even more rapidly than it has in Kansas. On average, the uninsured rate in non-expansion states is 12%, compared to 7% in states that have expanded eligibility, according to an analysis conducted by the Kansas Health Institute. In Kansas, the Medicaid program is called KanCare.

 

In most states, Medicaid expansion provides health insurance coverage to individuals and families who earn too little income to qualify for subsidized health insurance through the Affordable Care Act, but earn too much income to qualify for the state's current Medicaid program. Medicaid expansion is designed to cover individuals and families who earn up to 138% of the federal poverty level, or approximately $27,200 for a family of three.

 

In Johnson County, 19% of the population with income at or below 138% of FPL are uninsured. That represents approximately 9,500 Johnson County residents who might gain health insurance coverage under expansion of KanCare.

 

More information about KanCare expansion can be found at the Alliance for Healthy Kansas website.