LIVE: Highlights from Bethell Committee on HCBS and KanCare Oversight

Rep. Jim Ward signaled a clear legislative concern regarding the recent Federal move to cut off Federal dollars from Osawatomie State Hospital, due to recurring concerns related to substandard care, safety and security issues. His pointed questions resulted in the Chair, Senator Pilcher-Cook, ruling the questions to be not germane.

KDHE Secretary Moser's very general integrated waiver update prompted Senators Kelly and Denning to question the purposes and intended outcomes, and received additional questions from Rep. Ward which could only be described as skeptical as to the State's intention and preparedness.

Numerous positive written statements have been submitted to the committee attesting to the viability and potential benefits of the health home model.

The Osawatomie State Hospital issues resurfaced during KDADS Secretary Kari Bruffett's testimony. Rep. Jim Ward lectured Sec. Bruffett, citing news reports of substandard care, the rape of a staff member, the inappropriate placement of a sexual predator.

"Please tell me we are not conducting business as usual," Ward said.

Ward took exception to the drift of the Osawatomie issues, during which the focus shifted away from client care issues and focused largely on the fiscal issues resulting from the Federal findings.