(Feb. 29, 2024) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Senator Rick Billinger (R-Goodland), discussed the Kansas Department of Health and Environment budget and added a proviso limiting the federally qualified health center from using sensitive patient information for non-medical purposes including, by not limited to lobbying, expressing advocacy or communications to affect election turnout. The committee passed the motion and also deleted the funding for Medicaid expansion. The committee recorded no votes from Senator Pat Pettey (D-Kansas City), Senator Jeff Pittman (D-Leavenworth) and Senator Carolyn McGinn (R-Sedgwick).

The committee also worked on the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund and the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services budgets. The committee will continue to discuss the mega-budget in the coming days.