Cancer society slams ‘junk insurance’ bill

Megan Word said Kelly should veto extension of so-called STLD plans in Kansas because the plans didn’t cap out-of-pocket expenses and could feature high deductibles despite lower monthly premiums. The inherent financial hurdle could force people with major illnesses — such as the 16,000 Kansans diagnosed annually with cancer — to delay or forgo care, she said.

March 30, 2022 - 4:10 PM

Sen. Beverly Gossage, R-Eudora, is the leading advocate of a bill lengthening the renewal period of health plans that don’t automatically cover pre-existing conditions. The American Cancer Society’s nonpartisan affiliate is asking Gov. Laura Kelly to veto the bill. KANSAS REFLECTOR/TIM CARPENTER

TOPEKA — The American Cancer Society’s nonpartisan advocacy affiliate Wednesday urged Gov. Laura Kelly to veto a bill expanding duration of the “deceitfully” affordable short term health plans because benefits fall short of pre-existing condition standards of the Affordable Care Act.

The Kansas Senate affirmed legislation first approved by the Kansas House that would make it legal for people to sign up for a short-term limited duration health plan for 36 months, which would match federal regulations adopted during the term of President Donald Trump. Under current Kansas…

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