3901

AN ACT concerning health and healthcare; relating to medical assistance; expanding eligibility
therefor to persons between 60 and 64 years of age with an income of up to 138% of the federal
poverty level.

WHEREAS, An estimated 150,000 Kansans, including around 16,000 uninsured Kansans 60
through 64 years of age, currently fall within the Medicaid coverage gap by being too young to qualify
for Medicare and making too much money to qualify for Medicaid but too little money to afford private
insurance; and

WHEREAS, Medicaid expansion would improve health outcomes by reducing the number of
uninsured Kansans, improving preventive and primary care access, providing substance abuse
treatment and mental health counseling, and reducing the mortality rate; and

WHEREAS, Medicaid expansion would likely yield new jobs and increased wages and salaries
paid to Kansans and increase economic activity throughout Kansas; and

WHEREAS, Federal funds would pay for 90% of services provided to the expansion
population; and

WHEREAS, Medicaid expansion would significantly reduce the burden of uncompensated
care.

Now, therefore:

Be it enacted by the Silver Haired Legislature of the State of Kansas:

Section 1.

(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of K.S.A. 39-709(e)(2), and amendments thereto,
or any other statute to the contrary, for purposes of medical assistance eligibility determinations on and
after July 1, 2022, medical assistance shall also be granted to any adult between 60 and 64 years of age
whose income does not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level to the extent permitted under the
provisions of public law No. 111-148, the patient protection and affordable care act, and public law No.
111-152, the health care and education reconciliation act of 2010.

(b) The secretary of health and environment shall submit to the United States centers for
medicare and medicaid services any approval request necessary to implement this section.

Sec. 2. This act shall take effect and be in force from and after its publication in the statute
book.