KanCare Oversight Committee: Medicaid Providers Share Concerns

The Kansas Health Institute Story reported on outcomes from yesterday's hearing of the Bob Bethell Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight Committee, including a number of concerns raised by Medicaid providers regarding timely reimbursement under the new Medicaid managed care model.  Click on the image to read the KHI story.

KanCare Oversight Committee to Meet Today

The Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight will hold a series of hearings today in Room 548-S of the Kansas Statehouse. The 11-member legislative committee is chaired by Senator Mary Pilcher-Cook and co-chaired by Representative David Crum.  

The committee will receive updates from Brownback Administration officials on KanCare implementation, and will also hear from a large number of stakeholders and advocates on KanCare issues and concerns. Tom Laing, Executive Director of InterHab, will offer testimony to the committee on concerns related to the January 2014 inclusion of I/DD long-term supports and services within KanCare.

Today’s meeting represents the first of two approved days of hearings this fall for the oversight committee. 

KanCare "Educational Tour" Update

Here's another report from KHI coming out of last week's efforts from the State to host educational tours regarding KanCare and the inclusion of long-term IDD supports and services set to take place in January.

State officials prepping for DD KanCare expansion
By Mike Sherry
KHI News Service
September 27, 2013

KanCare Update & Legislative Oversight Committee Meeting

An insightful article from KHI takes a look at how KanCare is affecting small and large hospitals in both rural and urban areas. The article also shares an update on the Robert G. Bethell Join Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight. The committee name is definitely a mouthful but it's a nice homage to our late friend Rep. Bob Bethell who was devoted to seeing quality human services in Kansas.  Below are the details of the upcoming committee meeting:

KanCare Oversight Committee Meeting
October 7th @ 8:00am
Kansas Statehouse Room 548-S

Work in progress: KanCare problems persist for providers

From KHI News Service
September 23, 2013
By Mike Shields

Press Conference Today: Waiting List

Stay tuned, Governor Brownback and Lt. Governor Colyer will host a press conference this afternoon to discuss waiting list funding for Kansans with disabilities. We'll update our posts after the conference.

Here's the updated coverage from the day:

From KHI:
Governor Touts Waiting List Reduction Plan
http://www.khi.org/news/2013/sep/11/governor-touts-waiting-list-reduction-plan/


From the Topeka Capitol Journal
Brownback: KanCare savings will get some off waiting list:
Money will help some 5,000 Kansans with disabilities waiting for in-home services
http://cjonline.com/news/2013-09-11/brownback-kancare-savings-will-get-some-waiting-list#.UjDieoX7FgY.facebook

It's Alive!!! Power Up! Registration is posted and ready for action!

Power Up! is InterHab's Annual Conference; a 3-day event designed to inspire, educate and empower disability professionals. The Power Up! conference features engaging keynote sessions and a huge variety of small "learning labs" designed to give professionals the tools and information they need to best serve individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

You can learn more about what will be offered at the conference this year by downloading the e-brochure!

Schedule Overview:
Wednesday | October 16, 2013
8:30am:    Preconference
11:30am:  Executive Event: Luncheon
12:00pm:  Conference registration
1:00pm:    Power Up! Opening Session featuring Allison Massari
2:15pm:    Exhibitor Showcase and Kindle Fire HD Drawing!
3:00pm:    Learning Labs (concurrent sessions)
4:15pm:    Learning Labs
5:30pm:    Executive Event: President's Reception

Thursday | October 17, 2013
7:30am:    Continental Breakfast & Exhibitor Showcase
8:45am:    Keynote presentation featuring Mark Black
9:45am:    Learning Labs
11:00am:  Learning Labs
12:00pm:  Lunch and Exhibitor Showcase
1:30pm:    Learning Labs
3:15pm:    Learning Labs
4:45pm:    Learning Labs conclude
5:00pm:    InterHab-O-Bucks: $15 toward select area restaurants!
8:00pm:    Entertainment Night: TBA

Friday | October 18, 2013
8:00am:    Continental Breakfast
8:30am:    Learning Labs
9:45am:    Learning Labs
11:00am:  InterHab Annual Art & Awards Ceremony
1:00pm:    Conference concludes



Hotel Reservations:
A block of sleeping rooms has been reserved at the Hyatt Regency Wichita. You can make reservations online today:

https://resweb.passkey.com/go/2013InterHab 

If you need additional assistance, please call Hyatt Regency reservations at 1.888.421.1442.  There is a limited supply of rooms, so reserve yours today!

National Dialog on Employment for Persons with Disabilities

The article below, shared via Twitter by @ACCSES_DC, provides insight into a discussion on employment options for persons with developmental disabilities - a subject that has been receiving increased attention on the national level in recent months.