(Jan. 13, 2026) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora), heard from Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services Secretary Laura Howard about the agency's structure, 2025 accomplishments and goals for the 2026 session.

The Secretary highlighted a new program available through the Ballmer Group to help invest in the Certified Community Behavioral Health Centers' mental health model and behavioral health workforce, in addition to other topics, including:

• 988-lifeline service's current funding gap, and recommendations to increase approximately $3 million from previous funding levels.
  
• The working group's recommendations on long-term services and support from the intellectual/developmental disability community, as well as waiver updates and modifications..
• State hospital staffing and the positive impact of pay-plan increases and bonuses.
• Based on a call yesterday, the Rural Health Transformation Program and key initiative areas have been reported as approved by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Key areas approved include:
  
  
  • Expanding primary and Secondary Prevention Programs
  • Secure Local Access to Primary Care
  • Build a Sustainable Rural Health Workforce
  • Enable Value-Based Care
  • Harness Data and Technology.

The Secretary indicated they hope to receive funds by March, with the first budget period ending Oct. 30, 2026, and with funds from the first round required to be expended by Sept. 30, 2027.

• Highlighted the need for HB 2316 to allow civil penalties to be used for quality care improvements and the need for a fingerprinting bill from the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The committee asked the Secretary whether the Ballmer Group grants will align with the Rural Health Transformation Grant Program and Medicare fraud initiatives. The committee also asked what criteria or metrics indicate whether mental health status in Kansas is improving, given recent investments. The chair asked about investments in CCBHCs and why those investments aren't reducing the need for state hospitals. Committee members asked about the gap the new South Central Mental Health Hospital is intended to fill in services.

The Senate Majority Leader, Chase Blasi (R-Wichita), noted that spending on contract staffing at Larned and Osawatomie continues to grow, and there is a need to transfer these patients to a location where they may require less contract staffing. The Secretary highlighted that the new South-Central Hospital will provide an opportunity to assess needs and develop longer-term plans for the other state hospitals..

The committee is scheduled to meet again tomorrow, Jan. 14, to hear from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.