(Feb. 16, 2026) – Today, the House Insurance Committee held a hearing on House Bill 2550, which requires certain 340B entities to report annually to the Kansas Department of Insurance on certain costs, savings and payments made under the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Proponents appearing virtually were:
- Chris Chastain, National Alliance on Mental Illness,
- Kevin Mills, Ad Astra Bio and
- Shawn Grenninger, National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions.
Written only proponent testimony was provided by:
- Kelvin Pugh, 340B Community Access National Network and
- Susan Crain Lewis, Mental Health American of the Heartland.
The committee received opposition testimony from:
- Karen Braman, Kansas Hospital Association
- Isaac Boone, Eureka Pharmacy
- Carrie Lutz, Holton Community Hospital
The committee did not take action on this legislation at this time and suggested that both sides discuss it during the interim.
The committee next worked House Bill 2703. The legislation enacts the Kansas Health Insurance Affordability Transparency Act, which requires a report specifying the financial impact to covered individuals resulting from the passage of certain health insurance legislation. The bill passed out favorably and will now go to the full House.
The committee House Bill 2736 requires hospitals to screen all patients for eligibility for such hospital's financial assistance program or charity care policy. The committee amended to all uninsured and limits reporting to a third-party debt collector and must be conducted within 90 calendar days post-discharge, and struck the portion that would allow for a civil action for injunctive relief and damages. The committee recommended the bill favorably for passage as amended. The motion to pass out was made by Rep. Cindy Neighbor (D-Shawnee) and seconded by Rep. Brian Bergkamp (R-Wichita).