Medicaid and CHIP (KanCare)

Kansas Medicaid Policy

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), known in Kansas as KanCare, provide health insurance coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income Kansans. This, in addition to long-term care for older adults and people with disabilities. KanCare accounts for a major portion of the state budget.

KHI analyzes how state policy and federal rules affect Kansans who depend on KanCare for health care and long-term services and supports. Additionally, KHI evaluates how Medicaid policies impact the state budget, how one of the largest insurance programs in the state affects doctors, hospitals, and other providers of these critical services, and how we can improve the performance and efficiency of the program.

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Impacts of the OBBBA on Medicaid and CHIP in Kansas

On July 4, 2025, H.R. 1 or the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), was enacted using an expedited process known as budget reconciliation, ushering in significant changes to Medicaid. These changes will have major implications for KanCare, which currently provides coverage for approximately 440,000 low-income Kansans, including children, parents, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities, older adults and people with certain health conditions. Our latest brief provides an overview of how the changes in the OBBBA will affect how Kansas administers Medicaid, impacting beneficiaries, providers and the state’s budget.

14 Min Read

Jul 31, 2025

Hands of different sizes united around a blue medical cross, symbolizing collective care, with healthcare icons and a “Hill to the Heartland” policy briefing badge.

Featured Videos

On Demand — Bring It Learning Series: Understanding OBBBA (H.R. 1) and Its Impacts on Medicaid and CHIP in Kansas

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On Demand — Exploring Medicaid Populations: Reaching Individuals Who Are Unhoused

On Demand — Beyond the Data

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On Demand — Exploring Maternal Health in KanCare: The Care Team

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About KHI

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.

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