(Jan. 26, 2025) – Today, the Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, chaired by Senator Brenda Dietrich (R-Topeka), heard House Concurrent Resolution 5013. The resolution asks Congress to give state insurance regulators authority over Medicare Advantage plans. The resolution passed the House during the 2025 session, 116-2.

Appearing before the committee to testify as a proponent was Eric Turek, Kansas Department of Insurance.

Committee members pushed back, suggesting the Kansas Department of Insurance doesn't have a firm grasp of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services rules and regulations governing Medicare Advantage. They highlighted the strict training of insurance agents, but noted fraud still occurs. The committee asked if there are other statutes that can be used to prevent fraud.

The committee also held a hearing on the following bills:

Senate Bill 300 prohibits the office of the state bank commissioner or any other state agency from becoming a receiver for a technology-enabled fiduciary financial institution that becomes insolvent or declares bankruptcy.

Senate Bill 331 eliminates certain stipulations relating to the payment of negotiable instruments on Saturday afternoons or holidays.

The committee is meeting again throughout the week.