Kansas renews existing contracts for firms managing Medicaid

? Kansas has renewed its existing contracts for three companies managing the state’s Medicaid program for another year through 2018.

Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer made the announcement Thursday in a tweet. He said, “Time will bring clarity from D.C” on health care policy.

President-elect Donald Trump and Republicans in Congress are looking to repeal and replace the 2010 federal health care law championed by outgoing President Barack Obama.

The Medicaid program provides health coverage for the poor, elderly and disabled and is funded jointly by states and the federal government.

In 2013, Kansas turned over management of its Medicaid program to state subsidiaries of Amerigroup, Centene Corp. and United Healthcare. Colyer led the privatization effort.

Colyer said the state will wait until late in 2017 to solicit proposals for new contracts.