Healthcare

HB 2533 creates Kansas' participation in an occupational therapy licensure compact, allowing licensed occupational therapists and assistants from other participating states to practice in Kansas without obtaining a separate Kansas license. The bill directly affects licensed therapists, assistants, and patients seeking services across state lines, particularly benefiting military spouses relocating with service members. Key provisions include mutual recognition of licenses, shared disciplinary information between states, and support for telehealth services to improve access. The compact preserves each state's authority to regulate practice and protect public safety while streamlining interstate care.

HB 2534 creates an interstate agreement (compact) allowing respiratory therapists licensed in one participating state to practice in other member states without obtaining separate licenses. It directly affects licensed respiratory therapists and patients in participating states by establishing a "compact privilege" that permits practice under the laws of the state where the patient is located. Therapists must maintain an active home-state license, pass background checks, and comply with each state's scope of practice. The goal is to improve access to respiratory therapy services, support military families relocating across state lines, and address workforce shortages.

SB 271 updates Kansas' children's health insurance program (KCHIP) by raising the income eligibility threshold from 225% to 250% of the federal poverty level for children in households with incomes in 2010 and subsequent years. This change would directly affect low-income children in Kansas whose families earn between 225% and 250% of the federal poverty level, expanding coverage eligibility for these households. The bill also requires a minimum 8-month waiting period for children who previously had comprehensive health coverage (with exceptions for job loss or other specific coverage disruptions) before enrolling in KCHIP. The program remains subject to available funding and does not guarantee entitlement to coverage for all eligible children.

SB 368 would allow Kansas residents who are members of qualifying health care sharing ministries to deduct their membership expenses (including contributions and administrative fees) from their Kansas state income tax. It also ensures that money received from these ministries for medical expenses isn't treated as taxable income in Kansas. To qualify, residents must be members for at least one month during the tax year, and the deduction only applies to amounts not already deducted on their federal tax return. The bill creates this tax benefit for Kansas residents using these specific nonprofit health-sharing organizations, which operate under federal tax-exempt status and require members to share medical costs voluntarily. The law would take effect for tax years beginning after December 31, 2026.