(Feb. 4, 2025) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado), received updates on the status of children's health in Kansas. The committee heard from the following:
- Heather Braum from Kansas Action for Children
The committee heard requests to work on the following legislation:
- Investments in prenatal and maternal health care
- Better access to affordable health insurance coverage
- Need for routine childhood vaccines
Anne Dwyer, JD, MPH, of Georgetown University McCourt School of Public Policy, also gave the committee an overview of Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program coverage for children. Dwyer highlighted that Medicaid covers 30 percent of children and 30 percent of births in Kansas.
On average, the federal government contributes about $60 to every $100 Kansas spends, representing our state's most significant source of federal funds. She highlighted that in rural areas of Kansas, 32.3 percent of children are on Medicaid, and 28.7 percent in urban areas.
Dwyer warned of federal threats to Medicaid, including:
- Significant cuts or cost-shifts to federal funds coming to states
- Cuts to eligibility, benefits, or provider and payment rates
The committee also heard from:
- Mariah Chrans, Community Health Council of Wyandotte County, highlighted wrap-around services and what the council does in the Wyandotte County area
- Chris Schunn, Kansas Infant Death and SID Network
- Dr. Dena Hubbard, Kansas Chapter of American Academy of Pediatrics
The committee will meet on Wednesday, Feb. 5, to hold hearings on bills related to Interstate Licensure Compacts for cosmetology, school psychologists and dietitians.