(Feb. 13, 2023) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services, chaired by Senator Carolyn McGinn (R-Sedgwick), discussed the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services budget. The committee heard an overview of the agency and priorities and accomplishments from KDADS Secretary Laura Howard.

Conferees, including KHA, requested additions to the budget including:

• A study for specialty psychiatric care for children and funding needs
• Need to expand certified community behavioral health centers 
• Targeted case management services addition of $4.5 million
• $3 million for community mental health centers
• $5 million for substance abuse treatment centers for the non-Medicaid population
• The Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly increase of 10 percent, rather than rebase for the program
• The American Rescue Plan Act funds for expansion of PACE in Johnson, Miami, and Franklin Counties
• $3 million in nutrition assistance for adult care programs
• $2.3 million for grants for CMHCs
• $266,000 for mental health first aid training programs
• 10 percent increase in the frail and elderly services waiver
• Proviso language directing KDADS to study and implement an inflationary-based program to increase intellectual and developmental disabilities service reimbursement rates
• Daily add-on for Medicaid patients for those in long-term care

The committee also worked the Healthcare Stabilization Fund Board of Governor's budget, as well as the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (health) budget.