The Healthcare Access for Working Kansans (HAWK) Act aims to expand medical assistance eligibility in Kansas by providing coverage to adults under 65 years of age who are not pregnant and whose income does not exceed 138% of the federal poverty level, effective January 1, 2026. The Secretary of Health and Environment is responsible for submitting necessary approval requests to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and for implementing rules and regulations to administer the act. Additionally, the act establishes a rural health advisory committee to address rural health issues and requires the Secretary to report on cost savings and the effectiveness of the program. The bill also amends existing law regarding the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare oversight, increasing the number of meeting days for monitoring the HAWK Act's implementation.

Moreover, the bill includes provisions for employment verification for applicants, exemptions for certain individuals, and specifies that abortion services will not be covered except as mandated by federal law. It also stipulates that if the federal medical assistance percentage falls below 90%, the Secretary must terminate coverage under the act. The bill mandates a comprehensive report at the beginning of each legislative session detailing the transfer of individuals to home and community-based services and insights into the KanCare program. Additionally, it amends the fee structure for health maintenance organizations and Medicare provider organizations, establishing a privilege fee of 5.77% of total premiums and requiring biannual estimates of 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