2009 Kansas Code
Chapter 75 STATE DEPARTMENTS; PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES
Article 74 KANSAS HEALTH POLICY AUTHORITY
75-7424. Same; health care finance reform options; reports; policy analysis and development; federal funding; reinsurance.

75-7424

Chapter 75.--STATE DEPARTMENTS; PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES Article 74.--KANSAS HEALTH POLICY AUTHORITY

      75-7424.   Same; health care finance reform options; reports; policy analysis and development; federal funding; reinsurance. (a) On or before November 1, 2007, the Kansas health policy authority shall develop and deliver to the governor, the joint committee on health policy oversight, the speaker of the house of representatives, the majority leader of the house of representatives, the minority leader of the house of representatives, the president of the senate, the majority leader of the senate and the minority leader of the senate, health care finance reform options for enactment by the legislature during the 2008 regular session, including an analysis of a Kansas health care insurance connector, a model for a voluntary health insurance connector, and draft legislation for the proposed health care finance reform options. In developing such options, the Kansas health policy authority shall solicit and consider information and recommendations from advisory committees established under subsection (c) of K.S.A. 75-7403, and amendments thereto, and shall advise and consult with the joint committee on health policy oversight regularly and on a continuing basis. The Kansas health policy authority shall develop and analyze other pertinent initiatives and policies designed to increase access to affordable health insurance and to otherwise promote health in developing the options.

      (b)   The Kansas health policy authority shall analyze and develop health care finance reform options with the goals of (1) financing health care and health promotion in a manner that is equitable, seamless and sustainable for consumers, providers, purchasers and government, (2) promoting market-based solutions that encourage fiscal and individual responsibility, (3) protecting the health care safety net in the development of such options, (4) facilitate purchasing of health insurance, and facilitating access to private sector health insurance by small businesses and individuals.

      (c)   The Kansas health policy authority shall identify and analyze policies that are designed to increase portability, to increase individual ownership of health care policies, to utilize pre-tax dollars for the purchase of health insurance, and to expand consumer responsibility for making health care decisions.

      (d)   The Kansas health policy authority shall obtain economic and actuarial analyses by an entity or entities that are recognized as having specific experience in the subject matter of all health care finance reform options proposed under subsection (a) to determine (1) the economic impact of proposed reforms on consumers, providers, purchasers, businesses and government and (2) the number of uninsured Kansans who have the potential to receive coverage as a result of the options proposed under subsection (a).

      (e)   The Kansas health policy authority shall investigate and identify possible public funding sources for the options proposed under subsection (a), including medicaid and other federal programs, specifically including possible waivers to specific federal program requirements.

      (f)   In collaboration with the United States department of health and human services, the Kansas health policy authority shall investigate (1) the development and availability of federal affordable choices initiatives funding, (2) waiver and funding opportunities under the federal deficit reduction act of 2005, and (3) waivers under the federal health insurance flexibility and accountability demonstration initiative to expand health services to low income populations. To the extent feasible, the Kansas health policy authority shall include such federal programs in the options proposed under subsection (a).

      (g)   In collaboration with the commissioner of insurance, the Kansas health policy authority shall analyze the potential for reinsurance and state subsidies for reinsurance as mechanisms to reduce premium volatility in the small group insurance market, to increase predictability in premium trends, to lower costs and to increase coverage as a component of the options proposed under subsection (a).

      History:   L. 2007, ch. 177, § 2; May 17.