Medicaid

More than 7 in 10 Kansans support expanding Medicaid, according to the survey from Fort Hays State University. More than 6 in 10 Kansans say women are better positioned than politicians to make the decision about whether to get an abortion.

Planned Parenthood leaders say that neither the Missouri legislature's efforts to cut Planned Parenthood off from Medicaid funding, nor next month’s vote on an abortion-rights amendment, were factors in the consolidation.

Some fear the decision will make it hard for low-income Missourians to access affordable COVID-19 testing, even though testing provided by doctors and clinics will still be covered.

The rule, which will last for six months, was a response to "an immediate danger to the public health, safety or welfare of pregnant women in Missouri," according to the state Department of Social Services. Missouri has some of the worst maternal mortality rates in the U.S.

Planned Parenthood reports nearly one in five of its patients is insured by Medicaid, which covers contraceptive access, sexually transmitted infections treatment, cancer screenings and more.

A Missouri law taking effect Wednesday would end Medicaid reimbursements for health centers associated with abortion providers, even though abortion is banned in the state. Planned Parenthood alleges it violates federal Medicaid law, which protects patients’ right to choose their health care providers.

Missouri continues to see maternal and infant mortality rates, breast and cervical cancer death rates, preterm births, congenital syphilis and depression around pregnancy at rates that are higher than the national average. It also fared among the worst nationally for mental health.

Missouri has removed roughly 136,000 kids from its Medicaid rolls since June 2023. But the state's worst-in-nation processing delays make it difficult to re-enroll — causing many to miss doctor’s appointments and critical prescriptions.

Many patients stay away from the dentist out of concern about the costs. Health experts say that MO HealthNet covering dental exams is a significant step in Missouri's effort to improve dental access — and to boost overall health, beyond cavities, molars and gums.

Doulas help new and expecting families navigate pregnancy, birth and the postpartum period. Studies show their intervention improves maternal health outcomes.

The federal government told Missouri it is concerned the state is not doing enough to “achieve and sustain” compliance with federal rules on Medicaid and CHIP. In Missouri, 72% of insurance applications took more than 45 days to process — the worst in the U.S.

After pandemic-era federal protections for Medicaid ended, Kansas started reviewing who was eligible for state health coverage. About 47% of the residents who lost insurance during that time were ages 18 or younger.