Gov. Laura Kelly Signs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Health Coverage for Kansas Children
Governor Laura Kelly has signed Senate Bill 271, a bipartisan legislation aimed at updating the income eligibility requirements for Kansas' Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). The bill adjusts the household income eligibility threshold from 250 percent of the 2008 federal poverty level to 250 percent of the current federal poverty income guidelines. This change is intended to safeguard access to affordable health coverage for Kansas children, ensuring that eligibility keeps pace with current economic realities. The bill also introduces a sliding-fee scale for premiums, making health coverage more affordable for families. Additionally, outdated provisions regarding waiting periods and penalties for non-payment of premiums have been removed to align state and federal law. 
