By NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Kansas House District 114 candidate Michael Murphy sees Medicaid expansion through the lens of someone who believes it comes with too many strings attached.
"One of the biggest problems with Medicaid expansion right now, is the idea of public funds for abortion," Murphy said. "I'm pro-life. I'm endorsed by Kansans for Life. I believe that's important. People are quick to say that the Hyde Amendment says you can't use federal funds for abortion, but as recently as the end of August, Nancy Pelosi and one of the chairs on the house committee said they plan to remove the amendment next year, if they remain in power. So, that goes away and the Hyde Amendment does not prevent states from using their own tax dollars for abortion and many states do."
Murphy isn't sure he buys Medicaid expansion as the savior for rural hospitals, either.
"When we look at Fort Scott and Independence, the hospitals that closed, they're saying we can save these rural hospitals, those hospitals were so deeply in debt that the money they would have gotten would not have saved them. Fifty-five percent of the Medicaid expansion money would go to the ten largest hospitals. That doesn't help the rural hospitals."
Murphy notes that most of the state sponsored insurance at this point is for people who are not able bodied. Medicaid expansion would be different.
"It uses a lot of money but solves very few problems," Murphy said. "It covers adults that are 19 to 64 that are able bodied. We have KanCare and we have other programs in Medicaid that help the rest of them."
Murphy will face Democrat Jeff Stroberg November 3.