Week 2 of the 2025 Session

Legislators returned to work on Tuesday, Jan. 21, following Martin Luther King Jr. Day, and continued to move quickly on issues presented during committee meetings. Topics included updates from the health-related agencies and advocacy organizations, including recent accomplishments and legislative priorities, along with a few budget requests.

This edition of Health at the Capitol looks at health-related policy issues announced or discussed during the second week of session. Kansas Health Institute (KHI) intern Alexa Heseltine contributed to this edition. 

On Thursday, Jan. 23, Governor Laura Kelly announced that the state is partnering with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas (BCBSKS) to open a licensed child care center in Topeka. The child care center, which will serve both state and BCBSKS employees, will be located in a renovated building on the BCBSKS campus. The facility is expected to open in late 2026. The state is providing $2.5 million in one-time funding to help refurbish the existing building, which was approved by the Kansas Legislature in 2023. BCBSKS will cover any remaining renovation costs.

Also on Jan. 23, the House approved House Resolution (HR) 6004, which adopts the permanent rules of the House for the 2025−2026 biennium. The final rules no longer contain the so-called “midnight rule” – a provision that says a session day cannot continue after midnight. In the past, especially at the end of a legislative session, the chamber often voted to suspend the rule and continue the night’s session into the early hours of the next day. Under HR 6004 that vote no longer will be necessary.

House Committee on Health and Human Services
(Rep. Will Carpenter)

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Committee heard presentations from representatives of the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA), Kansas Medical Society (KMS) and the Silver Haired Legislature. KHA highlighted several financial and operational challenges faced by hospitals in Kansas, including:

• Sixty-seven percent of Kansas hospitals had reported negative operating margins entering 2024, down from 73 percent the previous year but still above the 50 percent threshold.
• On average, Kansas hospitals have 62 days of cash on hand, compared to the national average of 265 days.
• Uncompensated care in Kansas hospitals amounts to $2.1 billion, with an average financial loss of 5.3 percent on Medicare patients and 1.83 percent on Medicaid patients.
• Hospitals continue to experience financial losses in behavioral health and maternity services, raising concerns about the long-term viability of these essential services.

KHA legislative priorities for the 2025 session include:

• Permanently establishing the current provider assessment program in state statute to secure federal matching funds.
• Expanding Medicaid outpatient rate increases to align with neighboring states and alleviate financial pressures.
• Continuing funding for the state Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Program to assist hospitals transitioning to Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) status.
• Improving patient transfer processes and prior authorization procedures to ensure timely access to care.
• Expanding eligibility for the Kansas Nursing Service Scholarship to part-time students to address workforce shortages.
• Creating an Allied Health Service Scholarship Program to attract and retain health care professionals in critical non-nursing roles.
• Strengthening the Rural Opportunity Zone (ROZ) Program by including housing and child care incentives to attract health care workers to underserved areas.

Committee members asked questions regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in prior authorizations (some national managed care organizations are experimenting with AI, but results have shown high rejection rates); the financial stability of hospitals with lower debt burdens (hospitals historically in good financial shape have remained stable with minor improvements in operating margins); delays in health care provider licensing (credentialing remains complex as it involves multiple insurance payers); Medicaid reimbursement rate increases (KHA is advocating for additional outpatient rate increases); the process of rural emergency hospitals reverting to their previous status (hospitals can transition back to critical access hospital designation); the expansion of hospitals despite financial struggles (growth is often driven by innovation and adaptation to patient needs); the exclusion of Medicaid expansion from legislative priorities (Medicaid expansion would help address uncompensated care but does not solve all financial challenges); state-level reforms for prior authorization delays (looking into effective models) and the Medicare vs. Medicaid loss comparison (Kansas hospitals lose more on Medicare patients than Medicaid patients).

KMS legislative priorities for 2025 relate to scope of practice (to address concerns regarding the fragmented health care regulatory environment with multiple independent boards overseeing different professions), liability issues, access to care, and additional reimbursement rate increases (to address concerns regarding the need for greater legislative oversight to ensure funding is implemented as intended).

Committee members asked questions regarding the implementation of Medicaid rate increases (KMS cited communication concerns related to the implementation); relationships between regulatory boards (KMS supports integrating oversight under the Board of Healing Arts) and federal policy changes (KMS identified Medicaid reimbursement and prior authorization as key concerns).

Legislative priorities for the Silver Haired Legislature include:

• Establishment of a medical cannabis advisory board to explore and make recommendations regarding the expanded medical use of cannabis.
• Medicaid expansion in Kansas.
• Increased funding for the Senior Care Act to meet the rising cost of services and growth of the aging population requiring those services while keeping current statutory eligibility requirements.
• Support and funding for collaborative community-based transportation for seniors.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, the Committee heard presentations from representatives of Starkey, Inc., and the Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization regarding challenges faced in serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD); the National Center for START Services regarding an evidence-based approach to crisis prevention and intervention for individuals with I/DD and mental health needs; LeadingAge Kansas regarding aging services in Kansas; Kansas Health Care Association and Kansas Center for Assisted Living regarding the state’s aging services landscape and the challenges faced by skilled nursing and assisted living facilities; Children’s Advocacy Centers of Kansas regarding the statewide network providing support for abused children and their families; and Sunlight Children’s Services regarding resources and facilities for victims of child abuse. Highlighted issues include:

I/DD Services

• Organizations struggle with state-mandated requirements to accept all eligible individuals, including those with severe behavioral challenges, without adequate resources.
• The crisis stabilization pilot program approved by the Legislature in 2022 has not been implemented.
• Individuals referred from out of state through school programs remain in Kansas after aging out.
• Increased inpatient capacity and immediate psychiatric care access are needed to serve individuals with high-support needs.
• A multi-partner, long-term commitment is needed to help law enforcement as they respond to calls involving individuals with I/DD and cover the cost of retaining those individuals in jail.
• The START Model, which is an evidence-based, community-crisis prevention and intervention service model for individuals age 6 and older with I/DD and mental health needs, is designed to develop community capacity while achieving well-being for the individuals served. START programs provide 24/7 crisis response and stabilization services, often in conjunction with first responders.

Aging Services

• Since the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of care beds have gone offline, with 89,000 Kansans living in areas with only one provider within a 30-minute drive and 32,000 Kansans living in “care deserts” with no nearby providers.
• Legislative support for Medicaid rate add-ons over the past two years has helped stabilize the industry, slow closures and ensure providers reach nearly full-cost reimbursement, but Medicaid funding remains a top priority.
• LeadingAge policy priorities include expanding the workforce pipeline, reducing regulatory burdens and increasing oversight and transparency of contract health care staffing agencies.
• Medicare Advantage plan denials and delays disrupt care and create financial strain for providers.
• There is opposition to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services minimum staffing standards rule.
• There is support for Congressman Estes’ efforts to reform the certified nursing assistant (CNA) training lockout policy, which currently prevents facilities with citations from offering CNA training for up to two years.
• Medicare coverage for up to 100 days of skilled nursing care leaves many individuals responsible for costs ranging from $7,000 to $10,000 per month, unless they have private insurance or qualify for veteran aid programs.

Children’s Services

• The children’s advocacy center (CAC) model reduces the investigation costs for abuse cases while increasing prosecution success and substantiation rates.
• CACs collaborate with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to expand access to cognitive behavior therapy for children with problematic sexual behaviors. There are plans to increase trained centers from two to seven by June.
• Sunlight Children’s Services provides services for victims of child abuse through two primary programs — a CAC and an emergency shelter.
• Despite the proven benefits of CACs, approximately 32 percent of Kansas remains underserved, particularly in rural areas where access to services is limited.
• For fiscal year (FY) 2026, House Bill (HB) 2007 contains a reduction of approximately $337,375 in State General Funds (SGF) for CACs compared to FY 2025.
• There has been a significant increase in demand for Sunlight’s services during the past two years, with 30 percent of the youth in their emergency shelter being foster children awaiting a placement or a psychiatric residential treatment facility bed.

Committee members asked questions regarding expedited placements at Starkey (results from the state’s broad eligibility mandate), acceptance of out-of-state individuals (states such as Illinois frequently refer individuals), statutory residency requirements for students in residential school facilities (students who reside in the state can apply for Medicaid when they turn 18), legislative solutions (piloting the START model in Sedgwick County), potential integration of START into the Parsons crisis stabilization unit, the cost effectiveness of the START model (a Tennessee study showed START services cost a quarter of traditional interventions), the model’s ability to address homelessness (START collected related data), the model’s rural applications (telehealth helps with response times), and support for individuals whose families live out of state (teams work remotely with caregivers and stakeholders).

Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare
(Sen. Beverly Gossage, Chair) 

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Committee heard presentations from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments (KALHD). The KDHE presentation, given by Secretary Janet Stanek and Deputy Secretary Ashley Goss, was similar to the presentation to the House Committee on Health and Human Services on Jan. 16.

Goss also discussed the relationship between KDHE and local public health departments (LHDs) and stated that LHDs act autonomously under their boards of health. She also noted that LHDs have experienced losses in institutional knowledge due to staff turnover during the pandemic.

Committee members asked questions regarding LDH funding (combination of local county budgets and federal grants administered by KDHE), referrals if an LHD cannot provide a service (collaboration with other local partners), information about the Cardiac Arrest Registry to Enhance Survival (CARES) registry (collects out-of-hospital cardiac arrest data from hospitals, EMS officials, ambulance services, fire departments and researchers — a future hearing is scheduled on this topic), updates on the tuberculosis (TB) outbreak (65 cases when KDHE first got involved, down to 32 active cases but also seeing latent TB).

Following Secretary Stanek’s presentation on the Division of Healthcare Finance, which operates the Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) in Kansas, committee members asked questions regarding physician reimbursement rate increases as directed by the Legislature (not all codes were given the nine percent increase and increases are pending federal approval); how KDHE determines rate adjustments (data analytics and input from stakeholders such as KHA); the focus of the $17 million Transforming Maternal Health grant (prenatal care and maternal health outcomes, more details will be provided in the near future); if there is a continuous eligibility waiver that extends Medicaid benefits to otherwise ineligible adults for 12 months (this will be researched).

Highlights from KAHLD’s presentation include:

• Increased support is needed to address LHD funding challenges, particularly for rural health departments, including an increase in the baseline aid-to-local (ATL) funding from $7,000 to $12,000 because the current amount is insufficient to meet the growing demands of public health services.
• Laboratory courier services, which are essential for transporting biological and environmental samples to the new state laboratory, need to be maintained.
• Public health initiatives impact long-term economic savings, workforce productivity and overall community well-being.

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Committee heard presentations from Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) Secretary Laura Howard and Acting Kansas Child Advocate Kerrie Lonard. Presentation highlights include:

• The number of youth in care has decreased by 27 percent over the past six years, with fewer children entering the system each year.
• Since the introduction of Family First Prevention Services in 2019, more than 6,400 families have been referred for support, with about 90 percent of children remaining safely at home 12 months after referral.
• DCF’s child support program facilitated the distribution of $200 million in support payments last year.
• Currently, 188,000 Kansans receive food assistance and nearly 13,000 children benefit from child care subsidies each month.
• DCF’s vocational rehabilitation services assisted nearly 10,000 individuals in securing employment last year.
• In 2024, the Office of the Child Advocate (OCA) received 235 formal complaints involving 377 children, leading to 132 findings, of which 68 were supported and 22 were unsupported, although recommendations were provided in those cases.
• Primary sources of complaints to the OCA come from natural parents, foster parents, relatives, child welfare professionals and legal representatives. Most common concerns reported are related to agency conduct, family separation and reunification, and child safety.
• Legislative recommendations and priorities for 2025 include:
  • Initiatives that build 24/7 access, communication pathways and collaboration between DCF and law enforcement are needed, specifically as it relates to decisions around removal, police protective custody, and placement.
  • Improve parent engagement through training, programs and practice standards.
  • Amend K.S.A. 65-512 to add the requirement of unannounced annual inspection in addition to the currently required annual and complaint-based inspections.
  • Adapt statutes and policies to require early and active Concurrent Planning for any child at the time of adjudication.
  • Consider a child welfare certification program for all DCF and contract agency staff.

Committee members asked questions regarding the verification processes for benefit programs (DCF requires proof of citizenship or legal residency for most programs and crossmatches with federal agencies); the Family First program’s impact on the adoption process (Family First focuses on front-end prevention and diversion and there is an increase in effort for relative placements with a goal of 50 percent); foster care inspection procedures (scheduled and unannounced inspections occur annually with complaints prompting immediate inspections); anticipated changes to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (initiatives aimed at promoting healthy choices and a focus on nutrition education); updates on the request for proposals (RFP) for the comprehensive child welfare information system (RFP is in final stages of procurement and awaiting federal approval, expect to announce in first quarter); the cost comparison between prevention and foster care services (prevention services are more cost-effective, cost comparisons will be provided at a later date); limits on the number of guardianships or conservatorships an individual can hold (no statutory limit but courts consider best interests of the child); and whether congregate care facilities undergo unannounced inspections (no statutory requirement for unannounced inspections but the OCA has recommended their implementation).

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the Committee heard presentations from KanCare Ombudsman and Executive Director Suzanne J. Lueker, Deputy Post Auditor Kristin Rottinghaus and Performance Audit Manager Matt Etzel of the Kansas Legislative Division of Post Audit and Kyle Kessler and Michelle Ponce, Executive and Associate Directors of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas.

Presentation highlights include:

• The Osawatomie State Hospital (OSH) audit, which assessed staff safety and security across three areas, found security patrols to be inadequate, training gaps in fire safety and poor key tracking processes.
• Staffing levels at OSH met minimum requirements but relied heavily on contract staff and overtime due to high turnover.
• OSH management was found to lack clear safety policies, data tracking and effective problem resolution.
• Recommendations for OSH included policy updates, improved tracking systems and better communication.
• The Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program audit revealed a decrease in the proportion of TANF funds allocated to cash assistance from 15 percent in 2009 to nine percent in 2023, with a concurrent increase in spending on foster care and preventative services. The average monthly assistance per family remained stable but the number of beneficiaries significantly declined due to stricter eligibility rules implemented in 2015.
• The KanCare Ombudsman had an increase in inquiries related to the transition from Aetna to Healthy Blue, but the transition has been relatively smooth.

Committee members asked questions regarding whether issues at OSH were due to training or turnover (attributed them primarily to turnover, as required training was provided); whether the hospital was addressing the concerns (efforts are underway to improve pay and processes); income thresholds for TANF eligibility (vary by county but remain low); whether the decrease in TANF assistance correlated with an increase in foster care spending (confirmed that as TANF caseloads decreased, spending on foster care rose); issues arising from transition to Healthy Blue (many questions but resources provided by KDHE were helpful); support for dual-eligible beneficiaries (Ombudsman’s office provides referrals and guidance); the breakdown of patients with private insurance versus Medicaid accessing services at CCBHCs/CMHCs (estimate that around 40 percent of patients are Medicaid recipients with survey data still being collected); and whether counties are still contributing to CMHC funding (yes, though contributions vary by region).

House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care
(Rep. Cyndi Howerton, Chair)

On Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Committee heard an update from DCF Secretary Howard (similar to previous updates for other committees) regarding DCF’s programs and accomplishments and the agency’s legislative priorities for 2025. The Committee also reviewed the report from the Joint Committee on Child Welfare System Oversight, which was approved on Jan. 17. The Joint Committee’s recommendations include:

• School districts, case management providers (CMPs) and DCF should take a multi-pronged approach to notifying foster youth of any financial or educational benefits that may be available to them after reaching the age of 18 or graduating from high school.
• Literacy assessments should be required for every child adjudicated to be in need of care.
• Bench cards used by judges and attorneys practicing child in need of care (CINC) cases should include questions verifying that the guardian ad litem assigned in the case has met with the child.
• CMPs should ensure timely enrollment of foster youth who experience a change in placement that requires enrollment in a new school.
• Law enforcement officers should provide written information to parents regarding what is expected in the 72 hours following a police protective custody (PPC) removal.
• The House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care or successor committee should hold informational hearings on the following topics: 1) legislative reforms pertaining to the reporting of suspected child abuse and neglect, 2) consideration of legislation granting Miranda rights for parents involved with the child welfare system and 3) whether out-of-state child custody orders are being honored by Kansas courts.
• Kinship care placements should be made as early as possible and legislation considering a child’s attachment to kinship caregivers when granting adoptions should be supported.
• DCF should shorten the timelines by which foster youth must receive mental health treatment, and the Committee should consider possible enforcement mechanisms to accomplish this goal.
• Kansas universities with social welfare programs should present information to the Committee regarding their individual efforts to encourage students to pursue careers in child welfare.
• The House Committee on Child Welfare and Foster Care or successor committee should prioritize the consideration of legislation amending the definition of “neglect” in the CINC Code.

Committee members asked questions regarding financial support available for kinship caregivers (working to provide financial and emotional support, including kinship navigator services and increased reimbursement rates); how disagreements on placements are resolved (family team meetings or a formal appeal process); what factors contribute to placement refusals (often due to personal preferences like lack of Wi-Fi or curfews); the availability of community referrals for prevention services (past pilot programs have been unsuccessful but open to exploring new approaches); notification of custody hearings for kinship caregivers (expected to happen through case management but need to confirm if there is a formal notification); and the diversity of the workforce (acknowledged the need for culturally competent staff and will review workforce demographics).

House Welfare Reform Committee
(Rep. Francis Awerkamp, Chair)

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Committee held a hearing on HB 2027, which would reorganize subsections of the public assistance statute, K.S.A. 39-709. The bill would restructure the statute into distinct subsections for each public assistance program, including general eligibility, TANF, food assistance, child care subsidies, fraud investigations, drug screenings, support assignments and electronic benefits cards. There was no proponent or opponent testimony submitted. Committee members asked questions regarding the final outcome of a similar bill introduced in 2024 (bill passed out of committee but did not advance further); the intent of the reorganization (to enhance clarity and usability); and whether there would be opportunities to simplify language during this process (bill is open for amendments during committee discussions).

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the Committee amended the bill to match language throughout and passed it out of Committee, as amended.

Senate Federal and State Affairs
(Sen. Mike Thompson, Chair) 

On Thursday, Jan. 23 the Committee held a hearing on Senate Bill (SB) 1, which would exempt Kansas from observing daylight saving time (DST) provisions beginning the first Sunday of November 2025. The bill also would require the Secretary of State (SOS) to monitor and publish a notification of the enactment of any federal law that establishes year-round observation of central DST. As a result of enactment of the federal law, the provision of SB 1 exempting Kansas from observing DST would have no force and effect.

Proponent testimony was provided by Sen. Kenny Titus and a representative of Save Standard Time. Written-only proponent testimony was submitted by a representative of the Coalition for Permanent Standard Time and a private citizen.

Sen. Titus stated that constituents had requested the bill based on concerns regarding continuous clock changes and that research suggests that permanent standard time promotes more positive outcomes for circadian rhythm and sleep cycles, as well as other related mental health benefits, a reduction in vehicle accidents, and improved outcomes for childhood education. Other proponents echoed the benefits for mental and physical health, that other states have introduced similar legislation and that exemption from daylight saving time is endorsed by the National Safety Council and the Academy of Sleep Medicine. Opponent testimony was provided by Deputy Secretary of State Clayton Barker, who stated that while the Secretary had no position on the core ideology of SB 1, there are concerns regarding Section 2(a), which would require the Secretary to monitor the enactment of any federal law that requires the year-round observation of central DST. He stated that the agency lacks staff expertise and resources to track federal legislation. Neutral testimony was provided by a representative of the Kansas Association of Broadcasters, who expressed concern about permanent DST and the Federal Communications Commission’s ability to make necessary adjustments to sunrise/sunset times for AM radio frequency needs.

Committee members asked questions regarding cell phone clock changes; whether SB 1 would be required to be adopted by employers in Kansas when assessing schedule changes; the delegation of a different agency to monitor federal law; the potential financial benefit for exemption; and expanding radio-broadcasting show times for different time zones. No further action was taken on the bill.

House Appropriations Committee
(Rep. Troy Waymaster, Chair) 

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Committee heard an update from Pat George, Chair of the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board (Board), regarding the Kansas Fights Addiction (KFA) Act, the work of the Board’s grant-making process and the use of the KFA Fund. To date, the state has received nearly $115 million of the estimated $340 million it is expected to receive. Under the competitive grant-making process established by the Review Board during 2023 and 2024, the release of four RFPs resulted in 135 grants to 85 organizations totaling more than $24 million to support initiatives that prevent, reduce, treat or mitigate the effects of substance abuse and addiction across the state, including treatment facilities, recovery homes, prevention programs and intervention services. During 2025, the Board will set long-term strategic funding goals based on results of a needs assessment, which is expected to be released in April 2025. Committee members asked questions regarding the Board’s selection process, nature and characteristics of previous grantees, the ability of the Legislature to appropriate dollars to grantees directly from the KFA Fund (currently all grant proposals must go through the Board process), the compensation provided in the contract with the Sunflower Foundation, and how the impact or outcomes of the grants are evaluated (needs assessment results will help with that process).

On Thursday, Jan. 23, Social Services Budget Committee Chair David Buehler presented the Board of Pharmacy budget committee report and FY 2024‒2027 budget summary. For FY 2025, the Board is requesting a revised estimate of $3.9 million, all from special revenue funds, and 20 full-time equivalent (FTE) positions. This is a decrease of $242,202, or 5.8 percent below the FY 2025 approved amount. The decrease is due in part to the agency not renewing a software application used for K-TRACS and decreased expenditures for salaries and wages due to unfilled positions. For FY 2026, the Board is requesting a revised estimate of $4.0 million and 20 FTE positions, a decrease of $123,104 and for FY 2027, the Board is requesting a revised estimate of $4.1 million and 20 FTE positions, a decrease of $70,848. The Special Committee on Legislative Budget (LBC) concurs with the agency’s revised estimates for FYs 2025‒2027 and the Social Services Budget Committee concurs with the LBC’s recommendation. The Committee approved the Social Services Budget Committee’s recommendations for FYs 2025‒2027.

Senate Ways and Means Committee
(Sen. Rick Billinger, Chair)

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, the Committee heard an update from Pat George, Chair of the Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board (Board), regarding the Kansas Fights Addiction (KFA) Act, the work of the Board’s grant-making process, and the use of the KFA Fund.  (See summary above for House Appropriations Committee on Jan. 21.) Committee members asked questions regarding the number of faith-based organizations that have received grants (need to research), whether the Board will consider making multi-year grants rather than one-year only grants in the future (yes, that is anticipated after the needs assessment is completed), the largest grant awarded ($1.5 million to the University of Kansas  Research Department for the needs assessment), and evaluation metrics used by the Board.

On Thursday, Jan. 23, the Committee heard an update from Melissa Rooker, Executive Director of the Kansas Children’s Cabinet (KCC) and Trust Fund, regarding the Children’s Initiative Fund (CIF). Rooker reported on results of the Child Care Capacity Accelerator initiative, which is designed to maximize federal, state and local public sector funding by combining it with private sector and philanthropic support to create new, licensed child care slots across the state. In 2023, the Accelerator awarded $54.4 million in competitive grants to 63 communities, generating an additional $58 million in local matching funds. After the first full year of the initiative Rooker stated that 3,340 new licensed child care slots were created, including 1,368 slots for infants under 18 months, 28 new child care facilities are open in 20 Kansas counties, and 448 new early childhood professionals have been hired. For the Capital Projects Fund Multi-Purpose Community Facilities initiative, the KCC awarded a total of $38 million to 10 organizations for construction or renovation of multi-purpose community facilities using funding through the federal American Rescue Plan Act. Per the federal criteria, each community facility must be equipped with public broadband and provide essential services that directly enable work, education and health care. Rooker noted that all 10 grantees began their projects in the spring or summer of 2024 and are in various stages of design and construction.

The NWKS Public-Private Partnership, a regional child care endowment established by the Dane G. Hansen Foundation, is providing support for ongoing, sustainable, community-level child care solutions across 26 counties in Northwest Kansas. The Hansen Foundation pledged the initial $5 million in seed money and the Kansas Legislature appropriated $5 million in one-time matching funds from the CIF in FY 2025. In June, the Patterson Family Foundation approved a gift of $1 million. The Hansen Foundation aims to raise a total of $25 million over the next five years. Funds distributed through this grant program will prioritize emergency needs or budgetary shortfall for child care providers to ensure their continued operation with adequate wages and benefits for staff. Rooker also reported that the KCC is working with various partners to support rural care initiatives to meet child care challenges of rural communities, including Small Centers that can serve 13-24 mixed-age children without the requirement of separate classrooms that come with larger center licenses, staffing and incentives for child care providers to accept infants.

Financial Institutions and Insurance
(Sen. Brenda Dietrich, Chair)

On Thursday, Jan. 23 the Committee received an update from Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt regarding the activities and accomplishments of the Kansas Insurance Department. Commissioner Schmidt highlighted the Department’s efforts to reduce licensing and registration fees, educate the public regarding various insurance matters and assist consumers with complaints and the recovery of dollars owed under their policies. Committee members asked questions regarding the marketing of Medicare Advantage (MA) plans and the Commissioner noted that a majority of consumer complaints submitted to the department are related to MA and she would like the department to have some authority over those plans (MA plans are regulated exclusively by the federal government). She stated that unlike the marketing materials for Medicare Supplement plans, the department does not have authority to review and regulate materials used by MA plans. She advised the Committee that the department is working with the Revisor’s Office on a joint resolution regarding the marketing of MA plans and would like to send a message to the Kansas congressional delegation regarding the need for state oversight of the marketing of MA plans.