Thirty years ago, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law, extending protections to those living with disabilities. This landmark legislation was the first major step toward ensuring workplaces, businesses, and public transportation make proper accommodations for those with physical or mental disabilities.
But even with the protections granted under the ADA, we still have a lot of work to do.
As governor, I'm committed to ensuring that everyone who calls Kansas home feels safe, accepted, and welcomed in their communities. And a huge part of that is recognizing how we can continue to fight for legislation like the ADA -- including by expanding Medicaid in our state.
While the ADA started a movement, many Americans living with disabilities have more barriers to overcome while attempting to access healthcare coverage. Currently under the ADA, there is a minimum number of hours a person must work in order to receive healthcare coverage under Medicaid. However, for many, it is difficult to hit those hours because of their disability.