The Legislature’s Joint Committee on Health Policy Oversight bucked Gov. Sam Brownback this week and recommended that state agencies pursue federal grants to help develop a Kansas-run health insurance exchange, the Kansas Health Institute News Service reported. “Why wouldn’t we go after this money?” asked Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita. Why, indeed. Kansas has long talked about creating an insurance exchange that could increase choice and competition. In fact, this is a GOP idea. But earlier this year, Brownback, under pressure from some activists who don’t want the state to have anything to do with the federal health care law, returned a $31.5 million federal grant to help Kansas set up its own exchange. That was a costly mistake. Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger said the state still has two opportunities to apply for more federal money. However, the applications need to include a letter of support from Brownback or be authorized by both chambers of the Legislature.
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