Insights from Week 9 of the 2025 Session: Key Updates and Highlights

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Kansas Senate Committee on Public Health adn Welfare Tackles Medicaid Oversight, Rural Healthcare, and EMS Enhancements

A extensive look at the key healthcare bills debated and advanced by the Kansas Senate Committee in March 2025.

march 21, 2025

HB 2284: Strengthening medicaid Oversight in Kansas

On march 11, 2025, the senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare, chaired by Sen. Beverly Gossage, convened to discuss House Bill 2284. This bill, already passed by the House on february 20 with a notable 120-3 vote, aims to enhance the oversight of Medicaid services provided by managed care organizations (MCOs) within the state.The bill mandates that the Department of Administration (DOA) establish clear, written policies governing the procurement of these MCO contracts.

At the heart of HB 2284 are four key provisions designed to promote transparency and accountability:

• Record Preservation: A strict prohibition on the destruction of records, including crucial evaluation documents, ensuring full compliance with the Kansas Open records Act.
• Tie-Break Procedures: The adoption of a standardized tie-break procedure to resolve scoring discrepancies during the evaluation process, whether conducted by individuals or committees.
• Legislative Transparency: A commitment to full transparency with the Kansas Legislature at every stage of the procurement process, adhering to the limits of state law.
• Appeals Process: The establishment of a formal appeals process, overseen and adjudicated by an independent appeals committee, operating in accordance with DOA-approved policies.

Representative Will Carpenter, a proponent of the bill, testified before the committee, stating that he and members of the Robert G. (bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight recognized “the need for oversight of the process of selecting MCOs.”

This emphasis on structured oversight comes at a time when Medicaid programs nationwide face increasing scrutiny regarding thier effectiveness and financial management. In California, such as, a 2024 audit revealed significant shortcomings in the state’s oversight of Medi-Cal managed care plans, highlighting the need for robust accountability measures. HB 2284 seeks to proactively address these concerns in Kansas.

the committee advanced the bill favorably on March 13, signaling a commitment to strengthening Medicaid management in the state.

HB 2249: Supporting Rural Healthcare Through Emergency Hospitals

The committee also addressed HB 2249 on March 11, a bill designed to bolster rural healthcare infrastructure. Passed by the House on February 20 with a unanimous 122-0 vote, HB 2249 supplements the Rural Emergency Hospital Act by allowing greater adaptability for rural emergency hospitals (REHs) to provide skilled nursing care.

The bill empowers the Secretary of the Kansas Department for aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to grant waivers to REHs,allowing them to:

• Obtain physical environment waivers for existing nursing facilities,enabling them to provide skilled nursing facility care.
• Transition up to 10 swing beds to skilled nursing facility beds, provided they meet specific criteria:
  • Licensed as a REH under the Act.
  • Licensed as a hospital immediately prior to licensure as a REH.
  • Provided skilled nursing facility services or critical access hospital swing beds for at least one year without any immediate jeopardy findings during their time as a hospital.

Representatives from LeadingAge Kansas and the Kansas Hospital Association voiced their support for the bill, emphasizing its role in “preserv[ing] access to short-term skilled nursing care in rural areas.” KDADS offered neutral testimony, while the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) submitted written neutral testimony.

This bill directly addresses the challenges faced by rural communities in accessing essential healthcare services. The closure of rural hospitals has become a pressing issue across the , with over 180 rural hospitals closing as 2005, according to the Chartis Center for Rural Health. HB 2249 offers a pathway for REHs to adapt and continue providing vital care to underserved populations.

The committee approved the bill with technical amendments on March 13.

HB 2280: Modernizing Emergency Medical Services in Kansas

On February 19, the House passed HB 2280 with a vote of 119-0. The bill focuses on modernizing emergency medical services (EMS) regulations and enhancing the capabilities of EMS providers across the state.

HB 2280 encompasses several key provisions:

• Clarifying Scope of Practise: defining the authorized activities of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians (advanced EMTs), emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and emergency medical responders.
• Easing Restrictions on Non-Emergency Services: Reducing operational service requirements for non-emergency ambulance services, possibly fostering greater access to transportation for individuals with limited mobility.
• AED Registry: Mandating that entities placing automated external defibrillators (AEDs) for public use register them with the Emergency Medical Services Board.

The bill also updates key definitions within EMS law, including:

• Updating the definition of “advance practice registered nurse” to align with the Kansas Nurse Practice
  
  

  How do you think these changes will affect healthcare access in your local community?

  Interview: Healthcare Policy Expert on KansasS new Medicaid, Rural Health, and EMS Bills

  Introduction

  Archyde News Editor: Welcome to Archyde News. Today, we’re joined by Dr. Eleanor Vance, a leading healthcare policy analyst, to discuss the notable healthcare bills recently advanced by the Kansas Senate Committee on Public Health and Welfare.Dr. Vance,thank you for being here.

  Dr. Vance: Thank you for having me.

  Medicaid Oversight: HB 2284

  Archyde News Editor: Let’s start with Medicaid. The committee advanced HB 2284, which aims to strengthen Medicaid oversight. What are your thoughts on this bill,and what impact could it have?

  Dr. vance: HB 2284 is a crucial step towards ensuring accountability in the Medicaid program. By mandating obvious procurement processes for Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) and robust record-keeping, the bill directly addresses potential vulnerabilities. The provisions for standardized tie-break procedures and an self-reliant appeals process will help maintain fairness and integrity. Enhanced oversight is notably important considering scrutiny of Medicaid programs nationwide, as we’ve seen with audits in places like California. This bill aims to be proactive in preventing similar issues in Kansas.

  Rural Healthcare: HB 2249

  Archyde News Editor: Moving on to rural healthcare, HB 2249 addresses the challenges faced by rural emergency hospitals (REHs). Can you explain the core benefits of this bill?

  Dr. Vance: HB 2249 aims to provide REHs with the flexibility they need to adapt and survive. Allowing REHs to offer skilled nursing care and granting waivers for physical surroundings requirements are important adaptations. This is especially critical considering the widespread closures of rural hospitals across the country, and also the documented dependence of the rural population on Medicaid for their healthcare needs and hospital services.By supporting these emergency facilities,the bill helps preserve access to essential care in underserved areas,preventing a potential access gap.

  EMS Modernization: HB 2280

  Archyde News Editor: let’s discuss HB 2280, which focuses on modernizing Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Kansas. What are the key takeaways from this bill?

  Dr. Vance: HB 2280 brings several important updates to EMS regulations. clarifying the scope of practice for EMS providers and easing service restrictions on non-emergency ambulance services have the potential to improve overall service delivery and help individuals with mobility issues. The AED registry is also a positive step, enhancing public safety awareness and potentially improving response times in critical situations. Modernizing these elements is vital for maintaining a robust and responsive emergency healthcare system across the state.

  Impact and Future Challenges

  Archyde News Editor: Considering these three bills, what are the anticipated positive impacts, and what potential challenges do you foresee?

  Dr. Vance: The combined impact of these bills should be positive. Enhanced Medicaid oversight promotes fiscal obligation and patient safety. The provisions supporting rural healthcare can combat the issue of hospital closures. And modernized EMS regulations will help deliver more appropriate, timely care. Though, for each of these bills, there are potential challenges. As an example,the successful implementation of the Medicaid oversight improvements will require a dedication to complete training and consistent enforcement. In the case of rural healthcare, ongoing financial support and incentives will be of great importance. And, for EMS, staying current with medical advancements and managing the needs of a diverse and aging population will continue to be an evolving task.

  Archyde news Editor: What are the potential impacts when taking all the legislation together and the related Medicaid cuts rippling through rural America?

  Dr. Vance: The proposed cuts in federal funding will be a major challenge. Reduced federal funding for Medicaid will put increased financial strain on all hospitals and will impact the services available and coverage in Kansas. The provisions in HB 2249 for rural emergency hospitals will potentially be critical as many hospitals may be forced to close if federal funding is cut,and rural hospitals will struggle to continue to provide the same level of services if there are cuts.

  Call to Action/Question for Readers

  Archyde News Editor: Dr. Vance, thank you for providing such valuable insights. Now, the floor is open for discussion, and we’d like to ask our readers: How do you think these changes will affect healthcare access in your local community? share your thoughts in the comments below.

  Dr. Vance: Thank you for the chance.