Briefing Book 2026: Artificial Intelligence Use in Health Insurance

As artificial intelligence (AI) has become an increasingly common presence in daily life, policymakers have been considering ways to ensure that the use of AI is not replacing human expertise and decision-making on complex topics. One of the areas of concern for both physicians and policymakers has been AI’s use in health insurance, particularly theContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Artificial Intelligence Use in Health Insurance”

Briefing Book 2026: Children’s Eligibility for CHIP, MCHIP, Medicaid, and HCBS, Including Information on Premium Requirements for CHIP

The History of Medicaid In the United States, Medicaid is a partnership between the federal government and the states with shared authority and financing, created by Congress in 1965 through Title XIX of the Social Security Act. The program was designed to finance health care services for low-income children, their parents, the elderly, and peopleContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Children’s Eligibility for CHIP, MCHIP, Medicaid, and HCBS, Including Information on Premium Requirements for CHIP”

Briefing Book 2026: Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program

The federal 340B Drug Pricing Program (340B) allows certain eligible entities that serve low-income patients to purchase discounted outpatient drugs from manufacturers that participate in Medicaid and Medicare Part B. Manufacturers must sell covered outpatient drugs at 340B prices to these entities. The difference between the cost of the drugs and the amount paid byContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program”

Briefing Book 2026: Foster Care Update

HB 2075 Implementation The 2025 Legislature passed HB 2075, requiring the Secretary for Children and Families to respond within 24 hours of receipt of a referral from a law enforcement agency that a child may be a victim of abuse or neglect. This response includes contacting the persons who are subject to the report madeContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Foster Care Update”

Briefing Book 2026: Kansas Vaccination Rates and the Cost to Treat Illnesses

Required Vaccinations for Students KSA 72-6262 et seq. requires proof of certain vaccinations for all students enrolling for the first time in a school, preschool, day care program operated by a school, or as designated by the Secretary of Health and Environment (Secretary). Certification must be from a licensed physician or local health department andContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Kansas Vaccination Rates and the Cost to Treat Illnesses”

Briefing Book 2026: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control

Background The Food Stamp Act of 1964, which established the original federal framework for food assistance, did not include a formal or comprehensive quality control system. In the early 1980s, the current system for measuring Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) payment errors was established, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issuing error rates annually.Continue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Quality Control”

Briefing Book 2026: Cybersecurity Update

Cybersecurity threats continue to pose an escalating risk to state and local governments, with attacks becoming more sophisticated, diverse, and costly. Recent data shows large increases in cyberattacks across all categories—from ransomware and data breaches to state-sponsored espionage, and supply chain compromises—making cybersecurity preparedness more critical for all levels of governments in Kansas. Understanding theContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Cybersecurity Update”

Briefing Book 2026: Electricity Capacity

Electricity capacity refers to the total amount of energy a device or system can store and release to utilities and customers. 2025 Electric Supply and Demand Biennial Report KSA 66-1282 requires the Kansas Corporation Commission (KCC) to produce a report on electric supply and demand for all electric utilities in Kansas every two years. ElectricityContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Electricity Capacity”

Briefing Book 2026: Next Generation 911

What is Next Generation 911? Next Generation 911 (NG911) is a digital, internet protocol (IP)-based system replacing the analog 911 infrastructure that has been in place for decades. Along with the digital transfer of information, NG911 utilizes geographic information systems (GIS) to help emergency dispatchers provide a location where the emergency call is taking place.Continue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Next Generation 911”

Briefing Book 2026: Sales Tax Exemptions

The Kansas retail sales tax is levied statewide at the rate of 6.5 percent on retail sales of tangible personal property and certain services, absent specific exemption. Additionally, certain services are not subject to the retail sales tax. For purposes of this article, the term “sales tax” refers to both sales and use tax. InContinue reading “Briefing Book 2026: Sales Tax Exemptions”