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Kansas’ largest disability advocacy group urged Gov. Sam Brownback and legislators Thursday to stop citing waiting lists for disability services as a reason to refuse Medicaid expansion. The Big Tent Coalition, which represents Kansans with all types of disabilities, said the argument is disingenuous and is being used “as a method of evading sincere debate on the merits of a customized KanCare expansion plan.” (Marso, 1/21)

Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Dr. Rebekah Gee said Thursday (Jan. 21) that she is "optimistic" about federal officials approving Louisiana's plans to expand Medicaid coverage to more than 400,000 people. Gee was in Washington, D.C. with Gov. John Bel Edwards to meet with federal officials about Louisiana's plans. Many of the plans Gee is proposing to speed enrollment have been done before in other states, but they require approval by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services. (Litten, 1/21)

Getting on Medicaid has never been so easy. In the past two years, 31 states and the District of Columbia have expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, but even more have simplified sign-ups and renewals, according to a 50-state survey released Thursday. (Galewitz, 1/21)