Kansas governor vetoes bill on short-term health insurance

(AP) Kansas Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly has vetoed a bill that could have encouraged some people to stick longer with short-term health coverage that critics label “junk insurance.” The measure she vetoed Wednesday is favored by many Republican lawmakers. Backers said the bill would have given people who buy limited-duration health insurance more protection against premium increases or coverage changes. Such plans last up to a year and offer lower premiums than comprehensive plans but don’t cover pre-existing medical conditions and other items. The bill would have allowed a consumer to buy new plans for two additional years without having the terms reconsidered. Kelly said lawmakers should expand Medicaid instead.