Update: What We’re Watching, Feb.19, 2026

• Home
• Articles

Update: What We're Watching, Feb.19, 2026

Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing

Hill to the Heartland: Federal Health Policy Briefing is a product series providing regular updates on federal health policy discussions. Sign up here to receive these summaries and more, and also follow KHI on Facebook, X, LinkedIn and Instagram.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released a proposed rule outlining changes to Affordable Care Act Marketplace policies for plan year 2027. Federal discussions continue regarding nursing home staffing minimum requirements, alongside a new funding opportunity aimed at addressing long-term care workforce shortages. A partial federal government shutdown began after lawmakers failed to reach agreement on funding for the Department of Homeland Security.

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. Affordable Care Act Marketplace Developments for Plan Year 2027

On Feb. 9, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the proposed "Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters" for the 2027 plan year. The proposed rule would make several changes to Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace policies and program requirements. Many provisions in the proposed rule apply specifically to state-based marketplaces. Kansas participates in the federally facilitated marketplace, so those provisions would not directly impact Kansas.

Key changes that apply in Kansas include repealing the requirement that insurers offer standardized plan options, allowing certain non-network plans to qualify as marketplace plans, expanding eligibility for catastrophic coverage to more individuals age 30 and older, and broadening hardship exemptions.

The proposed rule would increase eligibility and income verification requirements for consumers, including verifying at least 75 percent of new enrollments in a special enrollment period (SEP) and reinstating certain documentation requirements when income data are inconsistent. CMS also proposes to prohibit both state-based and federally facilitated marketplaces from paying advance premium tax credits to anyone who enrolls in a plan through a special enrollment period based solely on income.

Senator Roger Marshall and 16 other senators asked for a Department of Justice investigation into alleged fraudulent ACA marketplace subsidy payments, reflecting similar concerns about marketplace practices addressed in CMS's proposed rule to strengthen eligibility verification.

Read more from the Federal Register: Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 and Basic Health Program

Read more from the factsheet: HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027 Proposed Rule

Read the press release from CMS: CMS Proposes Regulations to Lower Health Care Costs, Expand Consumer Choice, and Protect Taxpayers

Read letter from Senator Marshall: Senator Marshall Joins Colleagues Calling for DOJ Investigation into Fraudulent Obamacare Subsidies

2. Nursing Home Staffing Minimums

Discussions continue over federal nursing home staffing minimums following CMS's decision late last year to withdraw the requirement that long-term care facilities maintain a registered nurse on site 24 hours per day.

CMS released a funding opportunity to recruit registered nurses and licensed practical nurses to work in nursing homes through financial incentives such as loan repayment and stipends to nurses. Total funding is $80 million over five years, with five to 10 regional awards expected.

Read more from Axios: Exclusive: Dem bill would revive nursing home staff minimums

Read more from Becker's Hospital Review: CMS revives nursing home staffing campaign after scrapping 24-hour rule

View grant opportunity: Nursing Home Staffing Campaign

3. Partial Government Shutdown Doesn't Impact Health and Human Services

A partial government shutdown began Saturday after legislators were unable to make a deal on the funding of the Department of Homeland Security. Congress is in recess until Feb. 23, 2026, and the impasse impacts the Transportation Security Administration, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, U.S. Coast Guard, the Secret Service, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The shutdown does not impact Health and Human Services (HHS) and its programs. Medicare, Medicaid, CDC operations and Affordable Care Act marketplace activities continue under previously enacted funding.

Read more from Brookings: What is a government shutdown?

Read more from PBS: Partial government shutdown drags on amid immigration oversight battle

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.