The grant’s actual requirements cannot be independently verified because the governor’s office and the Kansas Insurance Department have not provided a copy of or identified the grant in spite of several requests. When asked for a copy of the grant, Tomlinson said, “It’s not mine to give.”

Health Insurance Exchanges Attack Free Market Principles

AFP Kansas opposes the formation of a government exchange in the state of Kansas. While in theory exchanges can be neutral and promote free markets, in reality they often are tied to government regulations and restrictions that attack free market principles. AFP will oppose government exchange legislation expected to be debated during the 2012 legislative session. In addition, we are opposed to the state of Kansas seeking federal grants through non-legislative routes that are designed to implement or help establish a government exchange in Kansas. If there is any uncertainty as to whether the acceptance of a federal grant binds the state of Kansas to subsequently set up a government exchange, then the grant should not be sought, plain and simple. (more…)