Healthcare in Kansas | MyRepTracker

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2506: Establishing the addiction counselor apprentice license and setting fees for such license.

HB 2506 creates a new "addiction counselor apprentice license" in Kansas to help individuals gain entry into the field before obtaining full licensure. This license directly affects aspiring addiction counselors who have a bachelor's degree and specific coursework in substance use disorders but lack the full supervised experience required for full licensure. The bill establishes requirements including a bachelor's degree from an approved program, substance use disorder coursework, and supervised work experience, while setting fees for this new license tier. It amends existing Kansas law (K.S.A. 65-6610 and 65-6618) to add this apprentice category to the current licensing structure for addiction counselors.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2600: Establishing the Affordable Healthcare for Kansans program to expand medicaid eligibility.

HB 2600 establishes the "Affordable Healthcare for Kansans" program to expand Medicaid eligibility in Kansas. It would extend coverage to non-pregnant adults under 65 with incomes at or below 138% of the federal poverty level, directly affecting low-income Kansans currently ineligible for Medicaid. The key provision raises the income threshold for Medicaid eligibility to match the federal standard, effective January 1, 2027. This change requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to administer the program and inform potential applicants. The bill aims to align Kansas Medicaid eligibility with the federal expansion program under federal law.

Topics ✓ Budget & Taxes ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Medicaid

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2549: Mandating insurance coverage of pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS).

HB 2549 requires all health insurance plans in Kansas (including individual, group, and state employee plans) to cover diagnosis and treatment for pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS). This mandate applies to policies issued, renewed, or amended on or after January 1, 2027, directly affecting children diagnosed with these conditions and their families. The bill defines PANS as sudden-onset neuropsychiatric symptoms in children and PANDAS as a strep-triggered variant of the condition. It also requires the state employees' health plan to cover these conditions starting in 2027 and report on coverage impact by 2027.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2563: Permitting certain healthcare providers to complete health assessments for children enrolled at day care facilities.

HB 2563 requires Kansas day care facilities to maintain health assessment records for enrolled children under 10 (or under 16 if residing at the facility). These assessments must be completed by specific healthcare providers - such as physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, chiropractors, or approved nurses - and include a parent-provided medical history. Facilities must annually review each child’s medical history with their parent or guardian. The bill mandates that these records be kept on file at the facility, using a standardized form from the Kansas Office of Early Childhood. This directly affects day care facilities, parents/guardians, and the listed healthcare providers who complete the assessments.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce

vetoed · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2587: Authorizing a licensed private psychiatric hospital to maintain a stock supply of emergency medication kits for pharmaceutical emergencies.

HB 2587 allows state-licensed private psychiatric hospitals in Kansas to maintain approved emergency medication kits for immediate patient use during pharmaceutical emergencies. These kits, stocked under pharmacist supervision, can include controlled substances but require specific committee approval for types and quantities. Hospitals must follow strict protocols for kit access, administration, and recordkeeping, with pharmacists-in-charge responsible for oversight. The bill directly affects private psychiatric hospitals and their pharmacy staff, ensuring rapid access to critical medications when standard supplies are unavailable.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Hospitals Mental Health Prescription Drugs

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2551: Enacting the Kansas pharmacy services administrative organization act.

HB 2551 creates a licensing and regulatory framework for pharmacy services administrative organizations (PSAOs) in Kansas. These are entities that help independent pharmacies negotiate contracts with insurance companies and pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs), requiring them to obtain a license from the Kansas Department of Insurance ($200 application fee, $150 annual renewal). The bill mandates PSAOs to disclose ownership details (including ties to drug manufacturers or PBMs) to both the state and pharmacies/PBMs before contracts are signed, prohibits requiring pharmacies to buy specific drugs to access discounts, and requires sharing contract terms and reimbursement rates with pharmacies within 10 days. This directly affects independent pharmacies, PBMs, and PSAOs by increasing transparency and standardizing their business relationships.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

died · Kansas · House Apr 10, 2026

HB 2550: Requiring certain 340B entities to report annually to the Kansas department of insurance on certain costs, savings and payments made under the federal 340B drug pricing program.

HB 2550 requires Kansas hospitals participating in the federal 340B drug pricing program to submit annual reports starting January 1, 2027, to the Kansas Department of Insurance. The reports must detail how hospitals use 340B savings for community services, compare drug acquisition costs under 340B to other pricing sources, and provide specific financial data on drug expenditures, payments to pharmacies, and program administration. The Department of Insurance must publish these reports publicly on its website. This bill applies directly to Kansas hospitals designated as 340B entities under federal law, aiming to increase transparency around how these savings are utilized.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 405: Making it unlawful for a person to knowingly train artificial intelligence to encourage or support suicide or the unlawful killing of another person, provide emotional support, develop emotional relationships, act as a healthcare professional, simulate humans or encourage isolation.

SB 405 makes it illegal for developers to knowingly train artificial intelligence systems to: encourage suicide or violence, provide emotional support or act as a healthcare professional, simulate human relationships, or promote social isolation. The bill directly affects AI developers and companies creating systems that interact with users, excluding standard customer service chatbots, video game features, and basic voice assistants. Violators face civil lawsuits allowing victims to seek $150,000 in liquidated damages (or actual damages for emotional harm), attorney fees, or court-ordered injunctions to stop the AI's operation. It also permits courts to impose fines up to $50,000 per violation. The law focuses on preventing AI from engaging in harmful behaviors that mimic human interaction or exploit vulnerable users.

Topics ✗ Healthcare ✗ Technology

Sub-Topics Artificial Intelligence

died · Kansas · Senate Apr 10, 2026

SB 295: Removing the criminal penalties for possession of a personal-use quantity of marijuana and creating a civil penalty for possession of a personal-use quantity of marijuana.

Kansas' SB 295 replaces criminal penalties for possessing a personal-use amount of marijuana (up to 1 ounce) with a civil "marijuana infraction." Adults face a $25 fine or up to three hours of community service, while minors require up to five hours of community service or a drug awareness program. The bill prohibits arrests for this infraction, bans criminal records, and prevents impacts on driving privileges, financial aid, housing, or adoption eligibility. Fines fund a drug awareness program (50%) and the state general fund (50%), with data reported annually to the legislature. Municipalities cannot ban possession but may regulate public consumption similarly to alcohol.

Topics ✓ Criminal Justice ✓ Healthcare ✓ Housing

Sub-Topics Drug Policy

signed · Kansas · House Apr 9, 2026

HB 2374: Creating the specialty practice student loan program and the specialty practice student loan repayment fund, allowing for the transfer of funds from the OBGYN and psychiatry medical student loan repayment funds to the specialty practice student loan repayment fund and abolishing the OBGYN and psychiatry medical student loan repayment funds.

HB 2374 establishes a new specialty practice student loan repayment program by consolidating existing funds from the OBGYN and psychiatry medical student loan repayment programs (which are abolished) into a single specialty fund. The University of Kansas School of Medicine will administer the program, offering loan repayment to medical students who commit to practicing in approved specialties - such as gynecology, general psychiatry, or other specialties designated by the chancellor - in designated service areas like rural communities or state medical facilities. The bill requires the university to annually report changes to eligible specialties and service areas based on workforce needs, population data, and community needs. This reorganization reallocates existing state funds without creating new spending to address healthcare workforce shortages in underserved regions.

Topics ✓ Healthcare

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

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