POLICY UPDATES

March is here and that means legislative activity continues to pick up momentum as the Kansas and Missouri legislatures move towards Spring Break adjournments. Here’s the latest from each state.

*Updated through March 5th, 2026 at 2pm

Kansas Policy Updates

There are only two weeks for committees to meet before a lot of floor action in the run-up to the first adjournment on March 27th.

Also known as the ‘CHIP fix’ bill for the state’s Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), was heard in the House this past Tuesday after passing the Senate unanimously two weeks prior. The reason it’s called a ‘fix’ is because the 2008 bill to update CHIP income eligibility pegged it to the 2008 poverty level, which is much lower than it is currently. Eligibility became harder each year and many children were unable to access the program, which currently covers about 57,000 Kansas kids. We submitted testimony in support of this legislation in both chambers.

Resources:

View the full SB 271 bill

The House appropriations bill (HB 2434) includes a budget proviso that requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) to implement the new vaccine schedule recommended by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) or lose funding. We sent a letter to our service area delegation expressing our opposition to this as vaccines for rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal diseases, and COVID were removed and would harm Kansas kids and adults. We instead encourage following the American Academy of Pediatrics schedule for vaccines.

Resources:

View the full HB 2434 bill
Vaccines schedule (American Academy of Pediatrics)

This is a work requirements bill for safety net programs like child care subsidies, food assistance, or Medicaid. It is being run on the Senate floor this week. We opposed this legislation in committee and urge others to continue their opposition. For a little background, please check out our video update from last week.

Resources:

View the latest Policy Shorts video covering SB 363

MISSOURI POLICY UPDATES

Missouri’s legislative Spring Break is the week of March 16th – 20th and there is typically a flourish of action before the time off. Some legislation moving includes:

HB 2592 restores the voting rights for individuals on probation and parole. There are about 60,000 Missourians with probatory or parolee status who cannot currently vote. We are supportive of this legislation. It has passed out of committee and is able to go to the full House at any time.

Resources:

View the full HB 2592 bill

There are a couple of broad “health care omnibus” bills – HB 2372 and SB 841 – that have components we support around doula services, telehealth, and contracting with the Department of Health and Senior Services for public health services. Both of these bills have had public hearings, with HB 2372 passing out of committee.

Resources:

View the full HB 2372 bill
View the full SB 841 bill

In our video update last week, we also focused on HJR 154 – a work requirements bill for safety net services like Medicaid or food assistance, similar to Kansas' except that it would go to a vote of the people and be placed in the Constitution if it passes. As Missouri moves to implement work requirements already included in the federal law, HR1, they are having to grapple with the almost $300 million price tag to do so. HJR 154 is more restrictive than HR1 and would cost the state even more. We are opposed to this legislation.

Resources:

View the full HJR 154 bill
Missouri Lawmakers Weigh $294M Price Tag to Carry Out New Federal Medicaid Rules (Missouri Independent)

HJR 174 would allow the legislature to eliminate the state income tax and increase sales taxes. The main development since that update is that HJR 174 passed out of its committee on March 4th, after being stalled there for weeks. For an excellent resource on the damage these tax cuts would have on Missouri, we recommend reading the Missouri Budget Project's report on the impact to families and the state budget below.

Resources:

View the full HJR 174 bill
Ill-Conceived Tax Proposals Would Increase Taxes for Most Missourians, Damage Communities and Economy (Missouri Budget Project)

Policy Shorts

Policy decisions at the state and federal level can shape access to health care, food assistance, childcare, and other essential services. In this Policy Shorts update, we share a quick look at the proposals and policy conversations we’re watching in Kansas and Missouri and what they could mean for communities across our region.

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