Brownback has no plans to slow Medicaid changes despite concerns

(AP) Gov. Sam Brownback isn't planning to delay an overhaul of the Medicaid program in Kansas.

Officials said Thursday that the Republican governor's administration isn't rushing the changes, having begun discussions almost a year ago. They were responding to bipartisan concern among legislators that Brownback is moving too quickly to turn the entire $2.9 billion program over to private health insurance companies.

Brownback expects the state to issue contracts this year to three companies to manage Medicaid, which provides health coverage to poor families and thousands of disabled and elderly Kansans. The contracts would take effect Jan. 1, 2013. The administration is promising that they'll contain financial incentives for the contractors to improve services while controlling costs.

State medical programs cover services for about 380,000 people a month.