Gov. Kelly advocates for Medicaid expansion in Pittsburg

PITTSBURG, Kan. (KOAM) - Kansas Governor Laura Kelly made a stop in Pittsburg on Wednesday as part of her "Healthy Workers, Healthy Economy" Tour.

Kelly visited the John Parolo Education Center located on the campus of the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas.

Among topics discussed was Medicaid expansion and the health care workforce shortage. She told KOAM that those seeing the shortage have to partner up. She said those who don't see it, or don't have access to health care, won't be as concerned.

Kelly said, you can't do anything about staying healthier if you don't have access to professionals to guide your care.

"Expanding Medicaid would help put an end to our health care workforce shortage by offering better benefits to hardworking Kansans," Governor Laura Kelly said. "Ensuring our hospitals and clinics are well-staffed is a critical part of increasing access to essential care. The Kansas Legislature has the responsibility to move our state forward by allowing a debate and vote on Medicaid expansion when they return on April 26."

The John Parolo Education Center is designed to prepare the next generation of health care professionals. The facility provides training for student physicians, nurses, and other health professions, as well as hands-on educational experiences for K-12 students.

Governor Kelly's Office states Medicaid expansion would equip the Center with additional tools to train and grow the health care workforce.

In Pittsburg on Wednesday, Kelly stated, "This place has been vital to southeast Kansas for decades and it will remain that way. And that's why I'm so pleased with everything that they're doing, because they recognize the great need that there is down here. And, you know, they're responding to it and they're looking towards the future."

"The vision of the John Parolo Education Center is to inspire individuals of all ages to pursue health care professions, create learning opportunities and to support educational endeavors," said Jason Wesco, Founder of the John Parolo Education Center. "We are pleased Governor Kelly shares our goals of improving health outcomes, facilitating sustainable communities, and strengthening our health care workforce in rural Kansas."

According to Kelly's Office, "Failure to expand Medicaid has come at a particularly high cost to Southeast Kansas with the closure of several nearby hospitals, clinics, and most recently the Fort Scott Emergency Department. Missouri, which borders this area, has already expanded Medicaid, and therefore can offer health care workers higher pay, exacerbating Kansas' workforce shortage. "

COPYRIGHT 2024 BY KOAM NEWS NOW. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.