Kansas House Bill HB2386

Kansas 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/14/25
• Refer: 2/17/25
• Refer: 2/26/25

Caption

Updating income eligibility requirements for the state children's health insurance program.

Impact

The bill is expected to considerably broaden the reach of the children's health insurance program, allowing for an estimated increase in enrollment as more families qualify under the new income eligibility requirements. Moreover, the proposed changes to the authorization and eligibility criteria are designed to streamline the process and encourage enrollment from communities that previously faced barriers to coverage. The provision requiring families to contribute to the premiums through a sliding-fee scale based on the ability to pay reflects an effort to maintain the financial sustainability of the program while enhancing accessibility.

Summary

House Bill 2386 seeks to update the eligibility requirements for the state children's health insurance program in Kansas. With a primary focus on ensuring that more children have access to necessary healthcare, the bill amends the existing regulations concerning income eligibility thresholds. Under the new provisions, children from households with incomes up to 250% of the federal poverty guidelines will now be eligible for coverage, a significant increase from previous limits. This aims to provide health coverage for children who fall within this increased income bracket, thereby expanding access to crucial health services for numerous families in the state.

Contention

While the overarching goal of HB 2386 is to expand access to healthcare for children, it has also faced scrutiny concerning the potential financial implications for the state. Critics have raised concerns about the sufficiency of funding to support the expanded coverage and the potential for increased demand to outpace available resources. Additionally, the inclusion of waiting periods for recently uninsured children may be viewed as a barrier to immediate access for some families, raising debates around the urgency of healthcare access versus budgetary constraints.