Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates in federal, state and local races address leading up to the Nov. 3 election.

Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to residents across Johnson County.

Each day this week, we’ll publish the candidates’ responses to one question. So far, we’ve published responses on property taxes and special education funding.

Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:

Kansas remains one of the few states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid, and outgoing Gov. Laura Kelly estimates last year’s federal budget law, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, will cost the state at least $150 million in lost health care funding. Where do you stand on expansion now that the federal bonus for expanding is gone? How would you respond to cuts that may come as a result of the federal budget?

Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on the issue:

Cindy Holscher / KC Ohaebosim (Democratic)

As drastic changes continue at the federal level, we need a governor who will stand up for Kansas and protect our citizens from harmful actions. My opponent embraced Washington’s health care cuts and blocked Medicaid expansion multiple times. We need a governor who won’t let Washington walk over Kansas.

As governor, I will continue to fight for Medicaid expansion and fight to restore those funding streams so our citizens have access to the healthcare they deserve as Americans.

Ty Masterson / Jeffrey Klemp (Republican)

Medicaid should serve the people it was designed for: the elderly, the disabled, and low-income mothers and children. We must serve them rather than expand to able-bodied adults of working age who choose not to work. We must shorten waiting lists for those Kansans, not expand the program to able-bodied adults.

As federal changes take effect, I will protect services for the most vulnerable Kansans first, root out waste and errors in the system, and make sure federal decisions don’t shift new costs onto Kansas taxpayers.

Coming up:

Tomorrow, we will publish the candidates’ responses to the following question:

Readers worry that tax cuts, the Chiefs STAR bond deal and federal cuts together will squeeze the state budget. Several asked what spending candidates would give up to pay for what they promised. If revenue falls short of your plans, what comes first: spending cuts, tax increases or drawing down reserves? Name one program you would protect no matter what.