Media attention spurs advocacy for I/DD service providers

With the recent incorporation of I/DD services into KanCare, advocacy has never been more important. The potential challenges coming with KanCare caught media attention this month when the Kansas City Star profiled the concerns of a woman with a cognitive disability. The article also detailed issues service providers may be faced with as they shift into Medicaid managed care.

Our members across the state work diligently to help people with intellectual and developmental disabilities lead full lives, from providing job opportunities to helping with daily living at home. Although it might be a bumpy road ahead, this media attention is important in keeping a spotlight on this critical issue. 

For years, our members and advocates for the I/DD community fought efforts to shift I/DD long-term care services into KanCare. Together we rallied at the Capitol. We provided testimony to the legislature. We had countless meetings with lawmakers. If we continue to shout the unified voice of our members, the concerns of Kansans with intellectual and developmental disabilities will continue to be a priority for the state.

Read and share the article to help.  

KDADS Commissioner of Financial and Information Services Resigns

The Kansas Health Institute indicated yesterday that KDADS Commissioner Dave Halferty is resigning from KDADS.  Read the whole story by clicking on the image.

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