KS pushes to be exempt from health law

The Kansas state Senate recently approved a bill that allows the state to enter into a compact with numerous other states. The compact of states is pushing to be excused from the federal healthcare law, according to The Associated Press.

The state's House approved the measure at the end of March, InsurancenewsNet.com reported. According to the AP, the state is now waiting for Gov. Sam Brownback to approve the bill, despite the governor previously indicating he might need additional information to make a decision on signing the bill.

The bill would allow Kansas to join eight other states in a compact to seek exemptions from the federal government's healthcare law. The AP reported one state senator suggested the compact legislation would protect Kansas residents from the small "cabal" and the "real song and dance" that is the federal healthcare law.

According to the news source, HealthCare.gov's rocky implementation in October 2013 confirmed some legislators' fears that the Affordable Care Act could harm the economy. 

State Sen. Mary Pilcher-Cook, R-Shawnee, said if the compact is a success, Kansas would once more be in control of its own healthcare, the AP reported.