Signed by Governor Kathleen Sebelius

Highlights:

-Requires insurers to establish a premium only cafeteria plan that allows employees to choose between different types of benefits to customize their insurance plan (Sec. 1). -Allows corporations to issue groups and blanket subscription agreements as long as blanket policies comply with the rules listed in this bill (Sec. 3). -Requires insurers to give employees 18 months notice before terminating coverage (Sec. 3). -Sets the maximum lifetime benefit coverage of insurance plans at $2 million per individual (Sec. 4). -Prohibits insurers from restricting their clients from receiving Medicaid benefits (Sec. 5). -Allows the Kansas state employees health care commission to decide who qualifies for state healthcare benefits (Sec. 10). -Requires the Kansas health policy authority to create the office of the inspector general for the purpose of auditing and investigating the accountability, integrity and oversight of the Medicaid program, the state mediKan program, and the state’s children health insurance program (Sec. 11). -Requires the establishment of dental coverage and smoking cessation programs for pregnant Medicaid recipients, and expands Medicaid eligibility to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (Sec.19). -Requires the department of health and environment to establish a program to increase access to screenings for colon, breast, prostrate, and cervical cancer (Sec. 20). -Requires coverage for children who live in households with incomes at or under 250 percent of the federal poverty level (Sec. 22). -Appropriates $4 million for primary care safety net clinics and the University of Kansas Medical Center (Sec. 24, 25).

Full Bill Text

Highlights:

-Requires insurers to establish a premium only cafeteria plan that allows employees to choose between different types of benefits to customize their insurance plan (Sec. 1). -Allows corporations to issue groups and blanket subscription agreements as long as blanket policies comply with the rules listed in this bill (Sec. 3). -Requires insurers to give employees 18 months notice before terminating coverage (Sec. 3). -Sets the maximum lifetime benefit coverage of insurance plans at $2 million per individual (Sec. 4). -Prohibits insurers from restricting their clients from receiving Medicaid benefits (Sec. 5). -Allows the Kansas state employees health care commission to decide who qualifies for state healthcare benefits (Sec. 10). -Requires the Kansas health policy authority to create the office of the inspector general for the purpose of auditing and investigating the accountability, integrity and oversight of the Medicaid program, the state mediKan program, and the state’s children health insurance program (Sec. 11). -Requires the establishment of dental coverage and smoking cessation programs for pregnant Medicaid recipients, and expands Medicaid eligibility to 200 percent of the federal poverty level (Sec.19). -Requires the department of health and environment to establish a program to increase access to screenings for colon, breast, prostrate, and cervical cancer (Sec. 20). -Requires coverage for children who live in households with incomes at or under 250 percent of the federal poverty level (Sec. 22). -Appropriates $4 million for primary care safety net clinics and the University of Kansas Medical Center (Sec. 24, 25).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill expanding state health care and Medicaid eligibility.

Highlights:

- Appropriates the following: not more than 4 million dollars establishing and implementing premium insurance plans for families at or under 50% of the federal poverty level [sec. 21 (a)] - $545,483 establishing and implementing dental coverage for pregnant Medicaid beneficiaries [sec. 21 (b)]. - not to exceed $550,000 to care programs for outreach to increase enrollment of children in Medicaid and Healthwave with priority given to rural and safety net clinics [sec. 21 (c)]. - $460,000 from the state general fund to expand Medicaid eligibility up to 200% of the federal poverty level and expands smoking cessation programs for pregnant women [sec. 21 (d]. - $383, 600 to the statewide community health records program [sec. 21 (e)]. - Requires an employer's contribution to an employee's health savings account to equal the employer's contribution to an employee's state health benefit plan [sec. 11 (d)]. - Gives the Kansas Health Policy Authority new powers to provide a system whereby abuse or fraud in relation to Welfare or Medicaid can be reported (sec. 23). - Requires the Department of Health and Environment to establish a program, not exceeding $4 million dollars, which increases access to screening of colon, breast, prostate and cervical cancer (sec. 22). - Substitute offered by the House Committee on Health and Human Services, 3/14/ 2008.

Full Bill Text