(March 3, 2026) – Today, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2703. The legislation enacts the Kansas Health Insurance Affordability Transparency Act, which requires a report detailing the financial impact on covered individuals resulting from the passage of specific health insurance legislation.

The committee heard proponent testimony from Andrew Wiens of Kansans for Affordable Healthcare, who reported that premiums are increasing and noted that while policy intentions may be good, they may not provide a complete picture of the possible fiscal impacts on health care premiums. The committee also heard from Brad Smoot of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas, who said the test track law passed in the 1990s hasn't been fully followed but can provide the legislature with better information. He noted Workers' Compensation has a council that provides impact reports and suggested this is the mechanism proposed in House Bill 2703. He added the information on health care impacts on local governments and schools is typically lacking.

These discussions will continue in future meetings.