Kansas lawmakers to examine Medicaid changes

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) – A Kansas legislative committee plans to meet next week to review issues arising from this year’s overhaul of the state’s Medicaid program.

The Oct. 7 meeting at the Statehouse comes amid complaints from hospitals of delays in payments for services they provide to needy Kansans who participate in the $3 billion-a-year Medicaid program.

The state turned over most of the administration of Medicaid this year to three private health insurance companies. The reorganized program is now known as KanCare, and Republican Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration has said it is delivering better-coordinated services at a lower cost to the state.

Lawmakers formed the joint committee this year to provide oversight of KanCare.