TOPEKA (KSNT) — As concerns grow over the uninsured rate for Kansas children, health professionals, activists and members of the public gathered for an educational forum to learn more about how to fix the issue.
The Kansas Health Institute (KHI) hosted a public seminar to discuss growing uninsured rates among Kansas children on Thursday, Nov. 5. According to data released by the U.S. Census Bureau last week, 8.5% of Kansas children are without health insurance. That is higher than the national average, which sits at 6.1%. And it means that more than 60,000 children do not have health insurance.
“Young kids get sick a lot, they need to go to the doctor,” said Heather Braum, senior policy advisor with Kansas Action for Children. “If these kids don’t have health insurance, they’re either going without care, or their families are going into medical debt.”
Dozens of experts, activists and citizens gathered at the KHI, to learn more about the issues driving this problem and what can be done to reverse the trend. One of the many issues that were addressed is the Medicaid/KanCare application process.
“I do believe that there’s real opportunity for the legislature to look deeply into streamlining and simplifying the application and renewal processes for all public assistance programs,” Braum said.
Why did a GOP-backed constitutional amendment pass in Kansas amid multiple Democrat wins?
Over the summer, state lawmakers from the KanCare Oversight Committee met to discuss issues facing the Medicaid program in Kansas. One issue lawmakers heard about repeatedly from members of the public is the length of the application to sign up for Medicaid.
KanCare recipients that our Kansas Capitol Bureau have spoken with say the process can take hours, and it comes with a stack of paperwork that families are forced to navigate. Health experts worry working parents are going without care because they simply don’t have the time or energy to sign themselves, or their children up for health care.
In addition to fixing the burdensome application process, activists said that targeting certain demographics may help lower the uninsured rate.
“We can’t not all be concerned with the big difference and disparity between our Latino children and other children,” said Erica Andrade, the CEO of El Centro.
According to the new data from the U.S Census Bureau, 22.9% of Hispanic or Latino citizens in Kansas are uninsured. The national rate sits at 16.3%.
“At the end of the day, it’s this fear of what enrolling means and assumptions that are made and how difficult the process is and how long these applications are and not being able to get help in your language,” Andrade said. “It’s a culmination of barriers.”
But ultimately, those who attended Thursday’s seminar at KHI said events like this one are a good way to begin tackling these issues.
“How can we help each other with our work to make a bigger impact? Events like this are really important to bring everyone together to talk about that,” said Lacey Kennett, communications director with Alliance for a Healthy Kansas.
Kansas governor’s race still too close to call as officials conduct close-race audit
The 2027 Kansas legislative session will begin in only a few months. Lawmakers will return in January, and some tell our Kansas Capitol Bureau that this issue will be addressed.
For more Kansas Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here.
