This issue brief examines a proposal by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration to change the structure and operations of the $2.8 billion Kansas Medicaid program.

The KanCare initiative aims to slow the growth of Medicaid costs and improve health outcomes by requiring all 350,000 Kansans in Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program to enroll in private managed care plans. If KanCare is implemented, Kansas would be the only state with managed care companies providing care statewide to all people enrolled in Medicaid.

While political debate continues to shape the plan, this brief examines KanCare as originally proposed in November 2011.