TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback suddenly announced Tuesday afternoon he’s returning a $32 million federal grant that would have given the state a head start in meeting the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act. In his surprise announcement giving back the Early Innovator Grant, Brownback said that he doubts that the federal government can meet its future spending obligations. The state needs to prepare for less federal money and needs maximum flexibility to deal with that and rising health-care costs, he said. The announcement surprised many state officials, including members of Brownback’s own party. As late as Monday, Republican insurance commissioner Sandy Praeger was holding a public hearing on using the grant to design an on-line state health insurance exchange. She had no immediate comment. Kansas Democratic Party chair Joan Wagnon called Brownback’s action foolish and that he was more worried about pleasing Republican extremists and not serving average Kansans. Brownback’s move could be a gamble. Several states – all with Republican governors and including Kansas – have filed suit against the federal law. But if courts uphold the federal law, the federal government would could step in and operate a health insurance exchange without input from state officials – and Kansas taxpayers would pay all of the costs of it.
Wednesday, Aug. 10, 8 a.m.
