28 February 2005

Health care, education dominate discussions as Sebelius visits Washington

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Health care and education were the main topics of discussion as Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius and other governors met with President Bush and held a summit on high schools as part of the National Governor’s Association meeting.

“We have a health care crisis in this country. We have millions of Americans without affordable coverage. We have too many people who really are desperate to buy affordable medications and don't know if they can go to the doctor for preventive care,” Sebelius said during an appearance on News from CNN with Wolf Blitzer.

In Kansas, Governor Sebelius has teamed up with Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger on the HealthyKansas initiative, which seeks to reduce costs and expand access to quality care for children, low-income parents and small businesses.

Sebelius said that governors want to work with the President and Congress on any changes to Medicaid, which provides health care for the poor and disabled, and expressed concern over the local impact of the proposed federal budget.

“We have about 300,000 Kansans, mostly women and children, who get their health benefits through Medicaid. We have one out of every three births paid for by Medicaid.

“So as a governor looking to provide affordable health care and wrap-around services to Kansans, we are very cautious about any changes made in the program that would really limit our ability to provide affordable health care,” she said.

Governor Sebelius was in Washington for the National Governor’s Association meeting. She co-chaired the NGA’s Education, Early Childhood and Workforce Committee with Governor Tim Pawlenty, R-Minnesota.

The committee focused on the reform of American high schools, examining plans to improve high schools nation-wide to ensure that students are prepared for college, vocational training, or the workforce.

Part of these reforms must include the easing of restrictions on innovation at the state and local level, Sebelius said during the committee’s meeting Sunday.

“Lasting high school reform will require systemic change in federal education policies to break down barriers to reform and align high school standards with the expectations of college and work,” she said.