Healthcare (Medicaid)

SB 363 requires Kansas health and children's agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance using mandatory data-sharing agreements with state agencies (e.g., vital records for death confirmation, labor data for employment changes). It prohibits self-attestation for eligibility, mandates quarterly medical assistance eligibility reviews, and requires immediate termination upon death confirmation. The bill also increases the age limit for able-bodied adults without dependents in medical assistance, restricts work requirement exemptions, and limits retroactive enrollment. These changes directly affect Kansas residents applying for or receiving food or medical assistance programs administered by the state.

SB 161 requires Kansas state agencies to get explicit legislative approval before seeking or implementing any federal waiver that would expand public assistance eligibility (like Medicaid) or increase state costs. It directly affects state agencies managing programs such as Medicaid, preventing them from making these changes without a specific law passed by the legislature. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025, and does not apply to waivers already in place before that date. This creates a formal legislative checkpoint for significant federal program changes impacting state budgets and service access.

SB 151 requires Kansas' Secretary of Health and Environment to request a federal waiver from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) by July 1, 2025, to end participation in four specific Medicaid services under the KanCare demonstration program. These services include expanded behavioral health care, residential/substance use disorder treatment, continuous eligibility for parents, and extended coverage for youth transitioning out of children's health insurance (CHIP). If CMS grants the waiver, Kansas must immediately stop funding these services; if denied, the state must reapply annually. The bill directly affects Kansas Medicaid beneficiaries currently receiving these services through the KanCare program.

HB 2240 requires Kansas state agencies to obtain legislative approval before seeking or implementing any Medicaid waiver or program change that would expand coverage to new individuals or increase state costs. This applies specifically to federal waivers under Section 1115 or 1915 of the Social Security Act, affecting programs like Medicaid. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and mandates that agencies must get an explicit legislative act approving such changes before moving forward. It does not apply to waivers already in place before that date.