KanCare companies wined, dined GOP lawmakers

Two of the three managed-care companies for KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program, spent $7,247 lobbying state lawmakers last session, the Kansas Health Institute News Service reported. Much of that money was spent wining and dining Republican members of the KanCare oversight committee. Rep. Dan Hawkins, R-Wichita, who co-chairs the oversight committee, was the top recipient, receiving 41 meals worth $1,062 – an average of more than $25 per meal – between Jan. 1 and May 27. One of those companies, Amerigroup, also is co-hosting a fundraiser next month for the seven Republicans on the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee. – Phillip Brownlee

This story was originally published September 17, 2015 at 7:05 PM.