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.

End the Wait Campaign Speaks Out on Governor's Budget

Check out the article below from the Lawrence Journal World that discusses the Governor's current budget proposals and their inadequacy in addressing the (chronically under-funded) waiting lists for children and adults in Kansas to receive services.

http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2013/jan/28/advocates-those-developmental-disabilities-say-bro/

KHI/KPR's "Can KanCare Deliver" Series Update

The following is a link to the complete collection of KHI/KPR audio segments, which provide an in-depth look at Medicaid services and how it affects Kansas citizens. They also provide a thorough overview of the Administration's KanCare program and examine it's effectiveness in other states and the progress of implementing new changes.



KHI News Service and Kansas Public Radio teamed up to create a 5-part series exploring Medicaid and KanCare entitled "Lower cost and better care: Can KanCare deliver?"

Legislative Calendar Jan. 21 - 25

HOUSE:

TUESDAY JANUARY 22

Appropriations                                 9:00 AM               RM 112-N

• Legislative Budget Committee interim recommendations continued – Legislative Research staff

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 23

Appropriations                                 9:00 AM               RM 112-N

• Update on KanCare – Legislative Research staff

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

• Discussion on KanCare oversight in conjunction with Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee

SENATE:

TUESDAY, JANUARY 22

Ways and Means                             10:30 AM             RM 548-S

• KanCare update/overview – Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer/KDHE/KDADS

KHI/KPR Ask: Can KanCare Deliver?

KHI News Service and Kansas Public Radio have teamed up to create a week-long series exploring Medicaid and KanCare entitled "Lower cost and better care: Can KanCare deliver?"

The following is a link to the initial two segments, which provide an excellent overview of the services Medicaid provides and why Medicaid is important to Kansas citizens. They also provide a thorough overview of the Administration's program to privatize Medicaid by using three insurance companies to manage the program.

Legislative Calendar: Jan. 15th - 18th

HOUSE:

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16TH:

Appropriations                 9:30 AM               RM 112-N

• State budget overview – JG Scott

THURSDAY JANUARY 17TH:

Appropriations                 9:00 AM               RM 112-N

• Overview of Governor’s Budget Recommendation – Steve Anderson, Director of Budget
• Legislative Budget Committee interim recommendations – JG Scott

Children and Seniors     10:00 AM             RM 218-N

• Impact of KanCare on children and seniors – Kari Bruffett, KDHE

SENATE:

WEDNESDAY JANUARY 16TH:

Ways and Means             10:30 AM             RM 548-S
State budget overview – JG Scott


THURSDAY JANUARY 17TH:

Ways and Means             10:30 AM             RM 548-S

• Overview of Governor’s Budget Recommendation – Steve Anderson, Director of Budget
• Legislative Budget Committee interim recommendations – JG Scott