Reaction Mixed from Kansas Political Parties

March 01, 2009

Press Release

Kansas Democratic Party - Larry Gates

February 28th, 2009

"Along with all Kansas Democrats, I am thrilled our good friend, Governor Kathleen Sebelius, is nominated for this high Cabinet post. I applaud President Obama for nominating someone with the knowledge, skills and compassion needed to bring change to America's health care system. As she always does, our Governor has made all Kansans proud of her and her nationally recognized leadership.

"Mark Parkinson, as our new Governor, will be great for Kansans and great for Democrats. During his two decades in public service, Mark has dedicated himself to working with both parties to craft solutions for the people of this great state.

"I am excited to work closely with Mark as he continues the Kansas Democratic Party's tradition of solving problems with common sense and Kansas values."

Press Release

Kansas Republican Party - Christian Morgan

March 1st, 2009

"With the announcement today, the Governor leaves behind her a long string of broken promises. Chief among these is her promise to provide health care reform to Kansans-but none ever occurred," said Executive Director Christian Morgan.

"Since the Governor took office, the number of people covered by commercial health insurance has decreased by approximately 15% while the number of people covered by Medicaid has increased by 30%. At the same time, the number of uninsured people in Kansas has remained steady. The Governor has done nothing to reduce the number of people without health insurance in this state-instead there has been a large increase in the number of people covered by Medicaid. She offered no initiatives to make health insurance more affordable, nor has she created her own plan. Any sort of health insurance/health care policy has come from the Legislature or other outside bureaucracies."

"The Governor has failed to provide any meaningful health care reform in Kansas, and instead increased the role of Government in providing health insurance. It's not reform, and is a frightening indication of what is to come."

Morgan continued, "The only thing that has changed from when the Governor originally "withdrew" her name is the cabinet position being offered. Whether it was health care reform, the budget crisis, economic development for rural Kansas, or low-cost energy sources, the Governor has failed the state."

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