Addressing Rising Inequality and Health Care Gaps for Kansas Families
A month ago, Kansans spoke loudly with their votes, expressing clear desires for a better future. However, as we enter 2024, it’s evident that the state faces severe challenges that cannot be ignored. Inflation has driven up grocery prices, affordable homes are dwindling, and rural communities are struggling to stay afloat. These issues destabilize many Kansas families, particularly those in low- and middle-income brackets, making it harder for them to achieve the American Dream.
These difficulties are painfully clear in the 2024 Kansas KIDS COUNT Data Book. The data paints a bleak picture for Kansas children, showing widespread food insecurity, families unable to afford housing, and a health system failing to meet the needs of those most vulnerable.
While relief programs introduced during the pandemic brought much-needed assistance, the absence of these measures in 2022 highlighted the stark reality facing many Kansans. Child food insecurity increased by 37,000 children, while 17,000 more children faced a high housing cost burden—an issue that eats up over a third of their family’s income.
The Way Forward: Targeted Solutions for Kansas Families
As we enter the new year, it’s critical to address these challenges head-on. The data is clear: Kansans need targeted solutions that lift families up, not push them further down. We know what has worked in the past—temporary pandemic relief measures lifted many families out of hardship. To continue this progress, we must not strip away support from those who need it the most.
One promising solution is a state child tax credit. This policy could provide every Kansas parent with a credit for each of their children on their state tax returns. It’s an idea that has worked nationwide, lifting millions of children out of poverty during the early years of the pandemic. If implemented in Kansas, the child tax credit could benefit up to 700,000 children, giving families the financial boost they desperately need.
Beyond the child tax credit, housing affordability remains a pressing issue. Kansas must expand the Homestead Property Tax Refund Act, which has not included renters since 2013. Renters, many of whom are struggling with tight budgets, could once again benefit from this program. Expanding this tax refund could provide relief to thousands of families who are currently excluded.
Health Care and the Need for Expanded Coverage
As we work toward financial solutions, we cannot overlook the health care system. Our data reveals disturbing trends in Kansas’ health metrics. For instance, the state’s infant mortality rate remains stagnant, and nearly 5% of children in Kansas lack health insurance. Furthermore, one in five Kansas babies is born to mothers who did not receive high-quality prenatal care. This problem is particularly severe in rural areas, where transportation and access to health care are limited.
To address these concerns, Kansas lawmakers must expand KanCare, a Medicaid program that would help close the coverage gap and provide relief to families. Expanding KanCare is one of the most popular policy proposals in the state, and it could significantly reduce the burden on Kansas’ strained health system. It’s a step that would ensure that every child and every family has access to the care they need.
A Call to Action: Time for Change in Kansas
The challenges facing Kansas children and families are dire, but they are not insurmountable. The people of Kansas have clearly spoken: they want solutions to the problems that have plagued them since the pandemic. As lawmakers prepare for the next legislative session, now is the time to act. Kansans deserve policies that not only address immediate needs but also lay the foundation for a stronger, more equitable future. It’s time for Kansas to give its children the support they deserve.
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