SB 194 Hearing Today

This afternoon (at 1:30pm) the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee will hold a hearing on Senate Bill 194.  This bill, as it is currently written, could challenge commitments made to the I/DD community by the Administration:

Commitment One: That the Administration would not amend the DD Reform Act
The Developmental Disability Reform Act was passed by the Kansas legislature in 1995.  The DDRA provides statutes for community-based I/DD services governed by a community/state partnership as well as philosophical direction to promote independent and fulfilling lifestyles for persons with I/DD.  The DDRA was written in part to establish a strong community/state partnership which was considered necessary to protect the interests of vulnerable Kansans against the potential that future Governors and Legislators could sell off the interests of publicly supported I/DD services to powerful external interests.

SB 194 contains language that could remove from some CDDO's the role of eligibility determination.  The CDDO (Community Developmental Disability Organization) acts as a gatekeeper to the Kansas I/DD system.  CDDOs are nonprofit or county-operated organizations that determine eligibility, assess the individual's needs and inform the individual of service options.  CDDOs are contracted by the State with oversight from the Kansas Department on Aging and Disability Services (KDADS).  The language of SB 194 favors a system which is friendlier to tightened eligibility and service reductions, which in turn favors insurance contractors preparing to take over I/DD services.


Commitment Two: That there would be no interference into the vital and critical relationships that exist between persons-served, their families and their targeted case manager
The language in SB 194 to affect some CDDOs could in turn affect the current relationships established between individuals with I/DD and their targeted case managers.  Case managers aid persons with I/DD (and their families) in coordinating services such as residential assistance, employment support, etc.  Currently, the individual with I/DD and/or their family has the right to choose their Case Manager.  SB 194 sets in motion the potential that the State or private insurance companies would assign case managers, removing a freedom of choice that is critical to the current system of supports.



What's next?
In this afternoon's hearing, we believe Secretary Sullivan, KDADS will express a neutral position on SB 194.  But neutrality does not equal support.

That's why we need YOUR support.  We must continue to raise our voices and share our concerns.  Bills like SB 194 only confirm our fears that commitments to a community-based, mission-focused network of supports for persons with I/DD cannot be maintained under the umbrella of KanCare.

Please, urge the Administration to keep their commitments by contacting your legislators today!