The Alliance for a Healthy Kansas is planning a Medicaid Expansion Rally for Thursday, Feb. 13, at 11 a.m. at the Kansas State Capitol (2nd Floor Rotunda), located at 300 SW 10th Ave. Topeka, Kan. The goal? To let our legislators know we need to pass Medicaid expansion NOW instead of using it as a bargaining chip, as the Kansas City Star reports. Participants are encouraged to wear blue shirts to show unity.

The Kansas Medicaid program is called KanCare. Expanding KanCare would bring hundreds of millions of federal tax dollars back home, insure more than 150,000 Kansans, cover unpaid health care costs that are hurting hospitals, create thousands of jobs and help stimulate the local economy.

The Alliance for a Healthy Kansas promotes policies that ensure everyone has the opportunity to attain their highest level of health. Membership includes business leaders, doctors and hospitals, social service and safety-net organizations, faith communities, chambers of commerce, advocates for health care consumers and more. The Alliance believes “by unifying our voices we won’t be ignored.” Nurture KC agrees and stands with the Alliance in calling for Medicaid expansion.