HB 2029 Doesn't Advance - Now What?

On Monday of this week, the Social Service Budget Committee (SSBC) worked the HB 2029 bill that would carve-out I/DD services from KanCare.  Despite persistent efforts by Rep. Nancy Lusk (Johnson County) and the committee's ranking Democrat and longtime DD stalwart, Rep. Barbara Ballard, the committee voted NOT to send HB 2029 to floor for the House with a favorable recommendation.

So now what?

Keep Hope Alive:
One door closing does NOT mean the end of our efforts to permanently carve-out long-term I/DD care services from KanCare.  Other doors will be tried and we will most assuredly try them before this session is over.

Support those who support you:
Special thanks should be given to Representatives Jim Ward, Nancy Lusk and Barbara Ballard for hearing our concerns and championing our cause.  In addition, thanks should be shared with Rep. Brian Weber, chair of the House SSBC who didn't have to hold a hearing on this bill, but recognized it's importance.  Rep. Weber should be thanked and encouraged to support persons with I/DD even more by promoting a permanent carve-out!

Get Busy!
Last year we received a one-year delay from inclusion in KanCare because of YOU!  YOU put the pressure on your legislators by sharing your concerns regarding KanCare.  Do not relent!  This issue is more critical than before now that we know first-hand the challenges of working with Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that have little experience with the I/DD population.

1. Email your legislator today urging a permanent carve-out and protection for the Kansas I/DD system: www.invisiblekansans.com

2. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper sharing your experiences with KanCare implementation and concerns for the future, should long-term I/DD services be included.

3. Ask your legislator to be a hero for Kansas I/DD services! Take a picture with your staff and/or persons receiving services holding a sign that says "Will you be my hero?" Post your picture to the InterHab's facebook page and send a copy to your legislator!

Recap of HB 2029 Hearing

Last Wednesday, InterHab staff and members provided testimony to the House Social Services Budget Committee in support of HB 2029 - a bill that would provide a permanent carve-out of intellectual/developmental disabilities services from KanCare.   More than 10 conferees spoke in support of HB 2029 including family members and board members of InterHab-member organizations.  Other I/DD stakeholders submitted testimony including Hal Shultz, a person with intellectual/developmental disabilities and representative of the Self Advocates Coalition of Kansas, who did a great job sharing his concerns.

Opposition to the bill was shared by state officials Mark Dugan, KDHE and Sec. Shawn Sullivan of KDADS.  Opposition testimony also included a fiscal note developed by the Division of Budget that claims carving out I/DD services would create a significant financial expense.  InterHab staff and members are perplexed by this fishy fiscal note and are calling for an independent fiscal note to be generated by the Department of Legislative Research.

House Social Services Budget Committee members were very engaged in the conversation.  Representative Crum, a proponent of the Governor's plan to privatize Medicaid services politely challenged many proponents to the carve-out.  Representative Lusk and others also asked meaningful questions to gain a further understanding of the I/DD service network and how KanCare has and will affect persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities.  Lusk expressed concerns and confusion as to how KanCare would improve long-term supports.  Rep. Ballard also shared support for carving out I/DD services, indicating that part of the system "isn't broke, so don't fix it".

InterHab members and I/DD stakeholders were glad for the opportunity to have the hearing lead by chairperson Rep. Weber.

HB 2029 Hearing Tomorrow @ 3:30pm

Heads up! There will be a hearing in the House Social Service Budget Committee tomorrow at 3:30pm regarding HB 2029 - a bill that seeks to permanently carve out I/DD long-term care from KanCare. Follow us on twitter @InterHab for updates during tomorrow's hearing!

You can help support your peers who testify at tomorrow's hearings by reminding your area legislators to support a permanent carve out of long-term I/DD services!  E-mail your legislators today!

Legislative Calendar: Feb. 19 - 22

HOUSE:

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19TH

Social Service Budget @ 3:30 PM | 144-S
Recommendations – Department for Children and Families


WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20TH

Education @ 1:30 PM |  RM 112-N
Hearing on HB 2263 – Enacting the school district special needs scholarship program


Health and Human Services @ 1:30 PM | RM 546-S
Final action on HB 2025 – Creating a joint committee on KanCare oversight

House Social Services Budget Committee @ 3:30pm | RM 144-S
HB 2029 - Permanent carve out of I/DD long-term care from KanCare


THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21ST

Education @ 1:30 PM | RM 112-N
Action on HB 2263 – Enacting the school district special needs scholarship program



SENATE:

TUESDAY FEBRUARY 19TH

Assessment and Taxation @ 9:30 AM | RM 548-S
Hearing on SB 189 – Income tax credit for expenditures to make dwelling or facility accessible for persons with a disability


WEDNESDAY FEBRUARY 20TH

Ways and Means @ 10:30 AM | RM 548-S
Subcommittee report on KDADS


Ways and Means Subcommittee on Administration & Capitol Improvements @ 3:30 PM | RM 546-S
Briefing on KDADS/state hospital capital improvements


THURSDAY FEBRUARY 21ST

Ways and Means @ 10:30 AM | RM 548-S
Subcommittee report on state hospitals

Sedgwick Co. Providers Weigh in on KanCare Pilots

Medical Providers Identify Issues in KanCare Transition

Kansas Medical Society and Kansas Medical Group Management Association request an extended  'continuity of care' period (currently set to expire after April 2nd).  The 'continuity of care' period was put in place to try and allow patent's current care plans to remain in tact while the state transitions services to the three managed care organizations administering KanCare.

In a letter to Susan Mosier, Director of Medicaid Services for Kansas, the above entities identified 26 ongoing issues related to KanCare transition.

Legislative Calendar: February 11 - 15

HOUSE:

Monday, February 11

Social Services Budget                  3:30 PM                RM 144-S

·         KDHE – agency overview, public testimony

Tuesday, February 12

Federal and State Affairs                                                             9:00 AM               RM 346-S

·         Hearing on HCR 5009 – raffles by non-profit organizations

Social Services Budget                                                                  3:30 PM                RM 144-S

·         KDHE –public testimony

Judiciary                                                                                              3:30 PM                RM 112-N

·         Hearing on HB 2188 – open records act; non-profit organizations

Wednesday, February 13

Appropriations                                                                                 9:00 AM               RM 112-N

·         Subcommittee reports on KNI, Parsons

Health and Human Services                                                       1:30 PM                RM 546-S

·         Hearing on HB 2025 – creating a joint committee on KanCare oversight

Thursday, February 14

Appropriations                                                                                 9:00 AM               RM 112-N

·         Subcommittee reports on KDHE, KDADS

Children and Families                                                                   9:00 AM               RM 218-N

·         Presentation by Rocky Nichols, DRC

Health and Human Services                                                       1:30 PM                RM 546-S

·         Hearing on HB 2025 – creating a joint committee on KanCare oversight

Friday, February 15

Federal and State Affairs                                                             9:00 AM               RM 346-S

·         Hearing on HB 2193 – public facilities; accessibility standards for disabled persons

SENATE:

Monday, February 11

Ethics, Elections and Local Gov.                                                9:30 AM               159-S

·         Hearing on SB 109 – lobbying; use of public funds prohibited

Wednesday, February 13

Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Services        3:30 PM                RM 548-S

·         KDADS – Agency presentation and public testimony

Thursday, February 14

Ways and Means Subcommittee on Social Services        3:30 PM                RM 548-S

·         KDADS – possible recommendations

Lakemary Center Shares KanCare Concerns

Well done Lakemary Center!  Bill Craig, President share's that Lakemary Center has recently take out loans to ensure payroll can be made for employees.  This need for additional funds has arisen due to delayed payments from KanCare insurance companies.

In addition, one KanCare beneficiary's mom shares her struggles accessing standard primary care appointments for her child with developmental disabilities.

Kaiser Health News Article: Kansas' Great Hope

Kaiser Health News' recent article states that "...KanCare is a multi-billion dollar gamble. The state has rolled the dice, and it will take months -- maybe even years -- to find out whether their bet pays off. "

It's time to remind legislators that the lives of Kansans with I/DD are not to be gambled with!  Urge your legislators to permanently carve out I/DD long-term care services from KanCare!

Send a message today to your legislators today!

 www.invisiblekansans.com.

Legislative Calendar Feb. 4 - 8

HOUSE:

Monday, February 4

Social Services Budget Committee                          3:30 PM                RM 144-S

·         DD State Hospitals – public testimony

Wednesday, February 6

Social Services Budget Committee                          3:30 PM                RM 144-S

·         DD community services budget – public testimony

Thursday, February 7

Social Services Budget Committee                          3:30 PM                RM 144-S

·         DD community services budget – public testimony

SENATE:

Wednesday, February 6

Ethics, Elections and Local Government                9:30 AM               RM 159-S

·         Hearing on SB 45 – Prohibition on use of state appropriated moneys to lobby state and local governments

KanCare Transition - How are things going?

When it comes to asking how the transition to KanCare is going, some Medicaid service providers claim "better than expected".  At a joint House and Senate health committee hearing last week, Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other officials reported $18 million in financial savings and received positive reviews from many committee members.

But is this an accurate picture?  Check out the article below and share your thoughts with how KanCare is going for you - as a recipient or as a provider.