IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 25, 2012
April 25, 2012
Brownback
Administration Supports DD Long Term Care
and Waiver Postponement
and Waiver Postponement
Topeka – Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback
and Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer, M.D. announced today that their administration
endorses a proposal by members of the House and Senate as well as advocates of
the developmental disability community to postpone the inclusion of waiver
services for individuals with developmental disabilities into KanCare until
January 1, 2014 and to allow voluntary pilot programs.
Gov. Brownback said they recognize the uncertainty many
still feel about the coming changes in the state’s Medicaid system.
“Dr. Colyer and I are dedicated to improving the health
and well-being of all Kansans. We are confident the new KanCare system
will work for the greater good of those who depend upon Medicaid. We
believe that allowing another year of discussion and input from the
developmental disability community will make them comfortable with the program
and allow us to craft solutions to the concerns they’re expressing,” Brownback
said.
Lt. Gov. Colyer said the administration feels
strongly the KanCare reforms will work to improve the health and social
outcomes for our most vulnerable Kansans and in the long run will help the
state address the waiting lists for waiver services.
“We have heard the concerns expressed by family members
of developmentally disabled individuals about the coming reforms and the pace
of the change in particular. We believe this staggered implementation will
allow for more conversations, more public input, and a more effective
implementation for persons utilizing developmental disability waiver services,”
Colyer said.
Gov. Brownback and Dr. Colyer said they look forward to
working with state lawmakers and community partners to implement all other
provisions of KanCare, including medical and behavioral health services for the
developmentally disabled, on the original timeline slated for launch on January
1, 2013.
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