The Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act seeks to expand medical assistance eligibility in Kansas by allowing adults under 65 years of age, who are not pregnant and whose income does not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level, to receive medical assistance starting January 1, 2026. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Environment to submit requests to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for this expansion and mandates employment verification for applicants, with exemptions for certain groups. Additionally, it establishes a Rural Health Advisory Committee and requires annual reporting on cost savings from transitioning individuals from the KanCare program to the new coverage under the HAWK Act. The act explicitly states that it will not cover abortion services except as mandated by federal law.

Moreover, the bill introduces a comprehensive reporting requirement at the beginning of each legislative session, detailing the transfer of individuals to home and community-based services and providing insights into the KanCare program's performance. It also amends existing laws related to health maintenance organizations and Medicare provider organizations, changing the fee structure to a flat rate of 5.77% of total premiums and subscription charges, and requires semi-annual reports from health maintenance organizations on their expected premium collections. The bill repeals certain existing statutes and will take effect upon publication in the Kansas register.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 39-7, 40-3213
As introduced: 39-7, 40-3213