That’s a Wrap on Kansas Legislative Session!

The Kansas Legislature has wrapped up their work for this year. Thank you for using your voice to help move policies to make Kansas a healthier place. Here is an overview of all the important issues we worked on this year, and a sneak peek at what’s coming next.

Chain of Survival Policies

Telecommunicator CPR (TCPR) – SB 11 

This bill would make sure that all 9-1-1 emergency medical dispatchers are trained to coach callers through CPR until help arrives. Lawmakers have created an interim study committee to work on the issue with the intent to revisit this during the 2026 legislative session.

Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERPs) and CPR in Schools Funding 

After last year’s successful passage of a bill requiring all public schools to have a CERP, we worked on getting funding to support it, along with funding to train students in lifesaving CPR. Unfortunately, the funding was not included in the budget this year. We will continue to advocate for this funding with lawmakers.

Access to Care Policies 

Medicaid Expansion 

Kansas remains one of the few states that hasn’t expanded Medicaid access. While we continue to advocate for its expansion, we also defend attempts to weaken the program. For example, this year we successfully stopped a proposed repeal of Medicaid’s 12-month continuous eligibility for parents and caregivers. This could have resulted in significant loss of health care coverage for Kansans who are already struggling to get by.

Healthy Eating Policies 

Food Security 

Ensuring families have access to healthy food is critical to preventing heart disease. Multiple bills were introduced that would have removed many families and children from critical programs that they need. We were successful in protecting food access for families on Supplementary Nutrition Assistance and Summer Electronic Benefits Transfer programs.

Healthy School Meals for All (HSMFA)  

Making sure that every student has access to food while at school will dramatically increase food security in Kansas. While HSMFA started off strong by being included in Governor Kelly’s budget and passed by the House K-12 education sub-committee, the funding was removed by the House Appropriations Committee. This will continue to be a policy priority for the next legislative session.

It was a very busy session, and your advocacy had a real impact on making Kansas a healthier place. It’s important to celebrate our successes and look ahead to all the vital work to be done in 2026!