The Kansas House Health and Human Services committee tabled a bill that would have expanded the state's Medicaid program despite opposition from several health organizations, The Charlotte Observer reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. The state HHS committee delayed the vote until April 3, 2017, which is after the committee's deadline to submit bills for consideration.
2. The bill would have expanded coverage for up to 200,000 residents.
3. Health Reform Research Project Director Sheldon Weisgrau said to the Observer that the move was a "cop out." By tabling the measure, legislatures avoided going on record as opposing to expansion.
4. Republican Committee Chair Daniel Hawkins said "the bill was effectively dead."
5. However, Republican Vice Chair Susan Concannon will ask House Speaker Ron Ryckman, Jr. to exempt the measure from deadlines, thereby allowing legislators to consider it after April 3, 2017.