Healthcare (Medicaid)

HB 2386 updates Kansas' children's health insurance program (KCHIP) by changing income eligibility thresholds. For 2009, eligibility remains at 225% of the federal poverty level, but increases to 250% for 2010 and later years. The bill also adds an 8-month waiting period for new applicants with family income above 200% of the federal poverty level, unless prior coverage ended due to job loss or employer discontinuation. This change directly affects low-income children aged 0-19 in households meeting the updated income criteria, expanding access to health coverage for more families. The program continues to use a sliding-fee scale for payments based on family income.

SB 257, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, would expand Kansas' medical assistance program to cover non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. Applicants must provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms), with exemptions for students, parents, individuals with disabilities, veterans, and those experiencing homelessness. The bill requires the state to administer benefits through a managed care system and includes a provision to phase out coverage over 12 months if federal Medicaid funding falls below 90%.

HB 2375, the Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act, expands Medicaid eligibility to working adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. It requires applicants to provide employment verification (e.g., pay stubs or W-2 forms) unless exempt - such as students, parents, individuals with disabilities, or those experiencing homelessness. The bill mandates Kansas to seek federal approval for this expansion and establishes a managed care system for administering benefits. Coverage would terminate if federal funding drops below 90%, and the law is contingent on federal approval.