(Feb. 11, 2026) – Today, the Senate Government Efficiency Committee held the second day of a two-day hearing on Senate Bill 363. The legislation requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and the Kansas Department for Children and Families to enter into data-matching agreements with state agencies to verify eligibility for food and medical assistance. It also requires KDHE to submit certain data to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, prohibits certain public assistance waivers or exemptions without legislative approval, prohibits self-attestation for determining eligibility for public assistance, limits retroactive enrollment in Medical Assistance, immediately terminates eligibility for Medical Assistance upon confirmation of death of the enrollee, increases the age limit for able-bodied adults without certain dependents and prohibits certain exemptions from work requirements under the food assistance program.
The committee heard opposition testimony from the following conferees:
- Sean Gatwood, KanCare Advocates
- Kylee Childs, LeadingAge Kansas
- Heather Braum, Kansas Action for Children
- Molly Kraeger, Kansas Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics
- April Homan, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas
- Melissa Saven, Little Lobbyists of Kansas
- Elizabeth Keever, Harvesters
- Megan Word, Cancer Society
- Jessica Williams, Interfaith Action
- Mike Burgess, Disability Rights Center
- Haley Coutler, Kansas Appleseed Center
- Karla Heigemiester, Flint Hills Breadbasket
The committee asked the opponents questions and plans to meet again during the week.