Update: What We’re Watching, Sept. 18, 2026
Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing
Federal agencies announced new funding for rural hospitals, behavioral health services and Head Start programs. The White House also announced $500 payments for certain Affordable Care Act marketplace enrollees in states using the federally facilitated marketplace, including Kansas.
Here is some of the health-related news we are watching that could have an impact on Kansas.
The views expressed in the following news stories, news releases or documents are not necessarily those of the Kansas Health Institute (KHI). They are being shared with the intent of keeping Kansans informed of the latest developments related to federal health policy.
U.S. Health and Human Services (HHS) Updates
1. HHS Announces Nearly $25 Million in Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program Awards
On Sept. 10, HHS, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced nearly $25 million in Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program awards to 132 small rural hospitals in 13 states. Hospitals may use the funding to retain physicians, nurses and other health care providers and to maintain emergency, inpatient and other essential services. This funding is separate from the $50 billion Rural Health Transformation Program administered by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) through awards to states. Eleven Kansas hospitals received awards through the program.
🔗 Read the press release from HHS: HHS Awards Nearly $25 Million to Strengthen Small Rural Hospitals and Preserve Access to Care
🔗 Read more from HRSA: Rural Hospital Provider Assistance Program FY 2026 Grant Awards
🔗 Read more from Sen. Moran’s office: Sen. Moran Announces Federal Investments for 11 Kansas Rural Hospitals
🔗 Read more from WIBW: 11 Kansas Hospitals Awarded Federal Funding to Strengthen Rural Healthcare
🔗 Read more from KSNT: 11 Kansas Rural Hospitals Receive Federal Investments
🔗 Read more from JC Post: Stormont Vail-Flint Hills Awarded Federal Rural Health Funding
2. President Donald Trump Announces ACA Marketplace Refunds
On Sept. 10, President Trump announced that the federal government will issue $500 payments beginning in October to nearly 1 million Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace enrollees in 30 states that use the federally facilitated marketplace. According to the White House, the payments will go to eligible enrollees who do not receive federal premium assistance and will be funded through surplus marketplace user fees collected from insurers. CMS charges participating insurers fees to fund operation of the federally facilitated marketplace. The announcement does not specify whether congressional approval is required to distribute the funds.
Kansas is one of the 30 states that use the federally facilitated marketplace. During the 2026 open enrollment period, 7,292 Kansas marketplace enrollees reported household income above 400 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL), and another 4,861 were classified as having unknown or other income. Under federal rules for 2026, premium tax credit eligibility generally is limited to households with income between 100 and 400 percent FPL, although other eligibility requirements also apply. The White House said the $500 payments will go to eligible marketplace enrollees who do not receive premium assistance.
🔗 Read the fact sheet from the White House: President Donald J. Trump Announces the Working Families Obamacare Refunds
🔗 Read more from the Associated Press: Trump Promises $500 Obamacare Rebate Checks for 1M Enrollees in 30 States
🔗 Read more from MEDPAGE TODAY: $500 Obamacare Rebates Are Legally Precarious. And Do Nothing for Healthcare Costs
🔗 Read more from KFF: Marketplace Plan Selections by Household Income
3. HHS Announces $383.4 Million in Behavioral Health Grants
On Sept. 8, HHS, through the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), announced $383.4 million in grants for behavioral health treatment, prevention and crisis response. Of the total, $252 million will support the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, suicide prevention and mobile crisis services; $81.4 million will support substance use treatment and prevention; and $50 million will support mental health programs.
🔗 Read the press release from HHS: HHS Awards More Than $380 Million to Strengthen America’s Behavioral Health System on 988 Day
🔗 Read more from Fierce Healthcare: HHS Announces $383.4M in Behavioral Health, Crisis Response Services Grants
🔗 Read more from Healthcare Finance: HHS Awards $383.4M for Behavioral Health Services
🔗 Read more from Becker’s Behavioral Health: HHS Awards $383.4M to Strengthen Behavioral Healthcare
4. HHS Announces Over $225 Million to Improve Head Start Nutrition, Facilities and Services
On Sept. 8, HHS, through the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), announced more than $225 million in supplemental funding for Head Start programs. The awards include more than $89 million for over 400 Head Start grant recipients to improve nutrition, food preparation and storage, farm-to-table and gardening programs, and nutrition education. Four Kansas programs were listed as awardees with amounts ranging from $22,707 to $289,606.
🔗 Read the press release from HHS: HHS Awards Over $225 Million to Improve Head Start Nutrition, Facilities and Services
🔗 Read more from HeadStart.gov: 2026 Supplemental Funds for Head Start Nutrition Programming
Stay tuned for further updates on policy shifts that may affect health programs and services in Kansas. For related work on how federal policies could impact Kansans, please check out Hill to the Heartland.
About Kansas Health Institute
The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.