(Jan. 8, 2026) – This week, the Joint Committee on Legislative Budget began hearing on budget issues likely to be finalized during the upcoming 2026 session. Among the agenda items, the committee heard from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek on the Rural Health Transformation Grant Funds. Stanek presented an overview of the process, provided an update on the announced awards, outlined next steps and reported that the agency will learn more after an upcoming call with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services scheduled for Jan. 12. Committee members asked about tight expenditure timelines, specialists providing telehealth eligibility, and whether the funds follow the patient.
The Joint Committee on Legislative Budget received an update on the South Central Regional Mental Health Hospital from Deputy Secretary Scott Brunner, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. Brunner reported the facility will have 52 beds available for involuntary commitments and 52 beds for forensic cases and competency evaluations. It's scheduled to be completed in October 2026, and open to the public in January 2027.
The committee heard from KDHE Medicaid Director Christine Osterlund regarding a $26 million enhancement request after using pre-pandemic numbers to estimate the Children's Health Insurance Program enrollment; however, enrollment was higher than anticipated. Committee members asked about the qualifications for CHIP and application process and error rates.
The Joint Committee on Legislative Budget also heard updates on the following:
- Digital License Plate Production Costs
- Review of Disaster Funding
- Update on the STAR Bonds Program
- Review of Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul Program from the Metropolitan Topeka Airport Authority and Wichita State University
- Kansas Office of Early Childhood
- The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Error Rates and Administrative Match
- Sports Wagering Update
- State 911 Board