Kansas State Sen. Barbara Bollier is a lifelong resident of Kansas and has represented the 21st District in the Kansas legislature for the past eight years. Currently, Bollier serves as vice-chairman of the Public Health and Welfare committee in the Kansas Senate, as well as on the KanCare (Medicaid) Oversight Committee.
Bollier gained a deep appreciation and understanding of healthcare issues through her career as a healthcare provider and through her family connections to medicine. A graduate of Kansas University and with a medical degree from the University of Kansas School of Medicine, she joined her father in his anesthesia practice at Surgicenter of Kansas City. Her husband, Rene has been serving as a family practice physician for 29 years.
Though she retired from practicing medicine in 1999, Bollier has remained active as volunteer for several years with the Center for Practical Bioethics and was honored with their Vision to Action Award in 2010. She has taught in the Bioethics Masters program at Kansas City University of Medicine.
Bollier is a vocal advocate for Medicaid expansion, noting that she’s been “one of the few (if not the only) legislators with direct experience treating Medicaid patients.” She notes her support for the expansion stems from her own experience as a health care provider.
“Additionally, I am married to a primary care physician who serves ALL patients in need. The two of us are not just influenced by our own medical practices on this issue. We have two adult children, both of whom have been beneficiaries of the Exchange program under Obamacare.”