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 prices and tariffs, the war with Iran and how ICE operates.

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

Gov. Laura Kelly estimates last year’s federal budget law will cost Kansas at least $150 million in lost health care funding. In addition, an analysis of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act by Manatt Health projects Kansas hospitals will lose $2.7 billion over 10 years under the law. Should Congress reverse any of those Medicaid cuts? If not, how would you keep rural hospitals open?

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

Adam Hamilton (Democratic)

Yes. I’d vote to reverse the Medicaid cuts in last year’s budget law.

Kansas has 28 rural hospitals at immediate risk of closing, more than any other state. Some are in towns with two doctors. Many of their patients are on Medicaid, which already paid too little, and this law cuts it further. With the insurance tax credits gone, more of their patients are uninsured, too. They still come to the emergency room, but the hospital doesn’t get paid, and it gets even harder to keep a doctor in a small town. I’ve been to towns where people told me their hospital closed this past year. If you’re having a baby or a heart attack, that’s frightening.

Reversing the cuts comes first. Restoring the insurance tax credits would help, too. I’d emphasize reimbursement rates for home health care, so seniors can stay in their homes longer. And I’d fix prior authorization, so doctors, not insurance companies, make medical decisions. Rural hospitals are often a county’s biggest employer as well as its emergency room. When one closes, the whole town feels it.

Roger Marshall (Republican, incumbent)

Did not provide the Post with a response.

David Graham (Libertarian)

Did not provide the Post with a response.

Coming up:

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

Readers from both parties asked how Congress should respond when the White House ignores court rulings or acts without congressional approval, and one reader asked whether federal officials who break the law should be prosecuted. Where is the line for you? Name a specific time you would vote against, or have voted against, a president of your own party.