What we’re watching: September 2025 local and federal policy update

At Health Forward Foundation, we’re committed to providing timely updates on key local and federal policy developments that impact the health and well-being of our communities. This resource is designed to help our advocacy partners in and around Kansas City stay connected to the issues, opportunities, and decisions shaping our region — so we can continue working together toward a more just and equitable health outcomes.

In our Kansas service area

Wyandotte County 

• On Sept. 15, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2026 county and city budgets following extensive discussion about the mill rate and associated property tax burden. The Board approved raising the mill rate by 2 in the county and 1.5 in the city, which is expected to generate approximately $16 million for the general fund. The Unified Government remains in a tight financial position, with 40% of its general revenue allocated to debt payments. Regarding our strategies in Place, the approved 2026 budget includes funding to establish pre-approved plans for developing land bank properties and funding for professional services to support an unmet market needs study and a housing study. Mayor Tyrone Garner vetoed the budgets, citing the mill rate increase, but the Board overrode his vetoes. Without alternative funding sources, the difficult choice between raising property taxes and funding positions, such as additional full-time employees (FTEs) in the Sheriff’s office, or programs, such as IRIS which provides on-demand transit, is anticipated to continue.

Allen County

• In the November election, Allen County voters will be asked whether to extend the quarter-cent sales tax through 2031. The funds are used for maintenance and upkeep of the Allen County Regional Hospital and the medical arts building. The hospital was recently leased to the Saint Luke’s Health System, however the county is still responsible for the upkeep of the buildings. The county will have to find an alternative funding source if the ballot measure fails.
• As mentioned in the August update, the Iola City Council is considering changes to the number of City Council seats and the city’s representation structure. Currently, the city council consists of two council members from each of the four voting districts and the mayor, who is a non-voting member. On Sept. 22, the City Council discussed potential changes, including altering the ward system, reducing the number of districts, transitioning to at-large positions, and changing the term lengths for City Council members or the mayor. Of the four council seats up for election this November, only one district has a contested race, and one district has no candidates on the ballot. Any potential changes to the council’s structure raise concerns about whether the new design will support the inclusion of diverse candidates who are representative of their unique communities and neighborhoods.

Johnson County

• The Board of County Commissioners approved the fiscal year 2026 budget, maintaining a flat mill levy rate since 2025. The county’s strategic focus over the next two years includes safe, stable, and attainable housing; a healthy and safe environment with a sense of belonging for all; World Cup preparedness; strategic communication; and fiscal health. Consistent with these priorities, the commission committed $100,000 for eviction mediation and $200,000 for the landlord incentive program, both of which began as pilot programs.
• The Johnson County Housing Authority will hold a public hearing on the proposed 2026 Annual Public Housing Authority Plan and Administrative Plan changes on Oct. 16 at 9:30 a.m. The Housing Authority oversees the Housing Choice Voucher program throughout the county, excluding Olathe, which has its own public housing authority. Housing Choice Vouchers subsidize a portion of rent for economically disadvantaged individuals or households, offering them some flexibility in choosing their preferred housing style and location. However, this choice is limited to properties whose landlords are willing to accept the vouchers and participate in the inspection process.
• On Oct. 23, the Community Development division will hold a public hearing on the 2026 Annual Plan, which outlines how the county intends to use CDBG (Community Development Block Grant) and HOME (Home Investment Partnerships Program) funding. Comments can also be submitted in writing via email or by phone through Oct. 16. The Annual Plan also includes a component that links the county’s housing work to digital access. In addition to housing, Health Forward’s work in the Place purpose area is dedicated to strategies that increase access to high-speed internet and promote digital equity so that our communities are healthy places where people can fully participate in the digital economy.
• Johnson County recently held a public hearing on proposed amendments to the county’s Rural Comprehensive Plan, which includes potential changes to housing policy in the unincorporated portion of the county. These changes aim to address the need for varied housing types to meet residents’ diverse needs, with a specific focus on housing in the Urban Fringe Area. The proposal will proceed to the County Commission for review following approval by the Planning Commission.

In our Missouri service area

KCMO/Jackson County

• On Sept. 11, the Kansas City City Council passed Resolution 250807, officially opposing any legislative attempts to redistrict outside the normal decennial census process. The City Council also authorized the City Attorney to pursue legal action. The redrawn district lines split the Kansas City voting bloc by dividing the city into three districts instead of the previous two. This has the potential to dilute the voting power of the city, particularly for the Black community and others residing on the Eastside.
• At the following week’s meeting, the City Council approved several tax levies through the passage of Ordinance 250793. The Health Levy, which funds municipal operating expenses for hospitals and public health, was set at $0.5314 per $100 of assessed value. The City Council also approved a total tax levy for the fiscal year at $1.5073 per $100 of assessed valuation.
• The city has requested community feedback on how to address vacant lots. This effort stems from the passage of Resolution 250396 in May, which established the Kansas City Vacant Land Activation Initiative. Community members can submit feedback on the city’s Speakeasy KC website through Oct. 24. Vacant and underutilized lots are disproportionately located in communities of color due to historical disinvestment and systemic racism. Restoring vacant lots can enhance neighborhood health and safety and increase the property values of surrounding homes. Any revitalization efforts must include anti-displacement strategies and community input to ensure the work aligns with the neighborhood’s specific needs.
• The Mayor’s Commission on Reparations has contracted with a consultant to conduct an 18-month study to assess historical racial harm in Kansas City, focusing on housing, economic development, health, education, and criminal justice. This assessment will include community engagement and the collection of oral histories to inform policy analysis and develop recommendations for municipal policy.
• On Sept. 22, the Jackson County Legislature held a public hearing on several county tax levies, including the 2025 Jackson County Community Mental Health Fund Levy. The county’s mental health fund provides financial support to organizations that offer mental health services for uninsured or underinsured individuals. This aligns with Health Forward’s work in the People purpose area by promoting equitable access to high-quality whole-person care. Ordinance 6024 sets the 2025 Jackson County tax levy at $0.8267 per $100 of assessed valuation. The legislature, along with other taxing jurisdictions within the county, must approve the tax levies before October 1. The county’s property tax assessment process has faced significant opposition and community concern in recent years, with some residents experiencing substantial increases in their property’s assessed valuation. As the property tax burden rises, seniors and others on fixed incomes, individuals whose potential is limited by systemic economic barriers, and those in areas experiencing gentrification face an increased risk of being priced out of their homes.
• Former Mayor Kay Barnes will serve as the interim Jackson County Executive following Frank White Jr.’s recall in a countywide election. Barnes will assume the role for up to 30 days to allow the Jackson County Legislature to select an Executive to serve until the voters choose a replacement in the November 2026 election. If the Legislature does not make an appointment within 30 days, a judge will fill the vacancy until the election.

Cass County

• The City of Belton is updating its Unified Development Code (UDC) to align with the Belton 2050 Comprehensive Plan. The four key themes of the plan are public space, mixed-use development, housing & neighborhoods, and the multimodal network. On Sept. 18, the city held an open house to gather input on the UDC update and future development. Residents can provide input via an online survey on the City’s Community Development website until Oct. 9. Additional opportunities for community engagement will be provided throughout the process. Community participation in policymaking is essential to ensure that policies are designed with the actual needs and aspirations of the community in mind. At Health Forward, civic engagement is a core strategy of our Power purpose area because it has the potential to advance health equity, racial equity, and economic inclusion.

On the Federal level

• Congress faced a deadline of Sept. 30 to pass 12 appropriation bills or temporary funding measures to avoid a federal government shutdown. On Sept. 19, the Senate rejected a continuing resolution (CR) passed by the House, as well as a separate temporary funding proposal put forth by Senate Democrats. Lawmakers have been debating whether to maintain current funding levels or include other provisions, such as extending enhanced premium tax credits for ACA marketplace insurance plans. The impact of a government shutdown varies directly with its length. Non-essential employees would be furloughed, and non-essential programs would be paused. While benefit programs like Medicaid and SNAP would continue, administrative tasks, such as verifying benefits and renewing EBT card licenses, could face delays. Programs that provide monthly subsidies, like Housing Choice Vouchers, would continue until their current funding is depleted. Any delays caused by administrative constraints would disproportionately affect low-wage earners and exacerbate health and economic inequities experienced by communities of color and rural communities. The Kansas City region has a high concentration of federal workers who could be furloughed or required to work without pay for an indeterminate period. Although federal employees receive back pay after a shutdown, gaps in pay can strain the economic well-being of individuals, their families, and local economies.
• On Sept. 9, the Make America Healthy Again Commission released the Make Our Children Healthy Again Strategy, aimed at addressing childhood chronic disease. The strategy includes 120 initiatives targeting the food system, public health, and science. Many initiatives would require new rulemaking or legislative authority to take effect, and Congress has not yet approved dedicated funding for implementation. In practice, this strategy encompasses recent efforts such as altering the childhood vaccination schedule, pushing to ban petroleum-dyes in food, reviving the Presidential Physical Fitness test, reforming the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), and changing the narrative about autism spectrum disorders. Initiatives lacking dedicated funding may face inadequate or unjust implementation due to administrative burdens, lack of infrastructure, and other challenges.
• In mid-September, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released guidelines for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Of the $50 billion total, $10 billion will be available annually for five years. Half of this funding will be split evenly among states with approved applications, and the other half will be distributed at CMS’s discretion. The program’s priorities include supporting rural health innovations and new access points, ensuring sustainable access, workforce development, fostering the growth of innovative care models, and promoting tech innovation. States have until Nov. 5, 2025, to apply. This temporary funding will likely not fully offset the loss of funding for rural hospitals caused by changes made in HR 1 of the 119th Congress.
• On Sept. 20, the USDA announced it will discontinue its annual report on hunger and food security. The 2024 U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Household Food Security Report, set for release on Oct. 22, will be the last. This is particularly concerning because changes to SNAP enacted through HR 1 of the 119th Congress will further strain the program at the state level and may worsen food access issues. The decision to stop this report will hinder the ability to observe trends in hunger and food insecurity using a stable, longitudinal assessment.
• On Sept. 24, the USDA announced proposed changes to the SNAP retail stocking requirements. The proposed rule would mandate that retailers stock an increased number of “staple food” items to participate in the SNAP program. The proposal also includes changes to how and what foods are categorized as staple foods, such as adding more varieties of protein and dairy. The administration intends these changes to promote healthier food options, but the effort could be counterproductive if stores are unable or unwilling to meet the new requirements and consequently stop participating in SNAP. Communities of color face systemic barriers to food access due due to systemic racism, disinvestment, and other economic factors. Rural communities also face food access barriers due to disinvestment and economic factors, compounded by geographic barriers. Food insecurity is associated with higher rates of chronic health conditions and higher health care costs.