TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas legislators have approved a bill aimed at changing welfare policies and reducing prescription costs within the state’s Medicaid program.
The Senate approved the measure early Monday morning on a 27-13 vote after the House passed it Sunday night, 79-43. The measure now goes to Republican Gov. Sam Brownback.
GOP leaders saw the measure as crucial to resolving budget issues because it would reduce the state’s costs in providing health coverage to poor and disabled residents by nearly $11 million a year.
It would allow Medicaid to use so-called step therapy with prescriptions and require participants to try a less expensive drug before being allowed to get a more expensive one.
The measure also would reduce the lifetime limit for cash assistance to 24 months from 36 months.