Stories From the Coverage Gap
There are tens of thousands of Kansans who live everyday in the health insurance coverage gap, without access to affordable health insurance. Even more struggle to pay the costs of their health insurance. These are the stories of Kansans and their access to get affordable health care.
Kansas Stories: Dawn
November 2025
Dawn and her husband live in Edwardsville, Kansas, which they have called home since 1995. For most of their marriage, Dawn and her husband were self-employed. As small business owners, health care was always a concern. Around 2014, as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) rolled out, Dawn was one of the earliest enrollees to sign up for a Marketplace plan. That decision proved critical. In May 2017, Dawn received life altering news: a breast cancer diagnosis.
Read MoreKansas Stories: Rebecca
Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Disability Stories, Workforce Stories
Rebecca is a mother and grandmother in Wichita who, like thousands of others, faces the harsh realities of the health care coverage gap. While she waited for a decision on her disability case, Rebecca was able to qualify for MediKan, a state-funded program that allows those applying for Disability to be covered by Medicaid. However, this coverage is only available for one year, despite the fact that many people seeking disability wait years for a decision to be made in their case, and often have to apply more than once before being accepted. Rebecca needs a colonoscopy due to a family history of colon cancer and concerning results from a previous test. But without insurance and the inability to pay out-of-pocket, these essential tests remain out of reach.
Read MoreKansas Stories: Melinda
Topics: All Consumer Stories, Workforce Stories
Melinda, an interior designer, contractor, and musician, moved from Texas to Wichita in 2013. Last April, Melinda left her job on the maintenance crew of a local health care facility after suffering an overuse injury in her arm. Melinda's injury led to significant financial difficulties. She exhausted her savings and relied on the support of friends, family, and rent assistance from agencies to make ends meet.
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