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A new report from the Commonwealth Fund places Kansas health care system at 33rd in the nation, citing persistent issues in accessibility, affordability, and inequality.
While there have been modest improvements in insurance coverage and care affordability, experts warn that upcoming federal policy changes could reverse this progress.
Progress Threatened by Pending Legislation
According to the report, Kansas uninsured rate declined from 17.5% in 2013 to 11.9% in 2023, and fewer adults reported skipping care due to cost. However, David Radley, senior scientist at the Commonwealth Fund, cautioned that pending federal legislation could result in the expiration of premium tax credits and complications for Medicaid access.
Kansas is among nine states that have not expanded Medicaid, and these states consistently score below the national average in performance indicators. The lack of Medicaid expansion continues to disproportionately affect low-income individuals, particularly in rural and underserved communities.
The scorecard reveals that 33% of low-income Kansans under 65 face high out-of-pocket expenses, up from 29% in 2019. The situation is especially dire for Black Kansans, who are three times more likely to die prematurely from preventable or treatable causes than individuals of other racial backgrounds.
Sara Collins, vice president of the Commonwealth Fund, highlighted the risk of reversing recent gains if federal subsidies are cut. She emphasized that weakening access to Medicaid and marketplace plans could lead to a renewed spike in uninsured rates, especially in states like Kansas that haven’t expanded Medicaid.
The Impact of Federal Cuts on Kansans
Without Congressional intervention, an estimated 66,000 Kansans could lose their health insurance over the next decade due to expired premium subsidies.
Kansas ranks 35th in access and affordability and 50th in income disparity, suggesting that the most vulnerable populations will bear the brunt of these changes.
Kansas’ health care system is at a crossroads, with ongoing disparities in coverage, affordability, and outcomes. Although some metrics have improved over the past decade, the looming expiration of federal support threatens to undo this progress.
Experts urge policymakers to consider the far-reaching consequences of health policy decisions, especially for low-income and minority communities. Addressing these challenges requires state and federal cooperation to avoid deepening health inequities across Kansas.