KHI - Kansas Health Institute Inc.
09/09/2024 | Press release | Archived content
Health at the Capitol, Special Interim Committees 2024
Health at the Capitol, Special Interim Committees 2024
Join us for Health at the Capitol, a Kansas Health Institute webcast focused on health-related policy discussions and action at the Kansas Legislature. As interim committees meet at the Kansas Statehouse, we will provide updates on the health-related discussions.
Aug. 26-27, 2024
Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight, session 1
By Valentina Blanchard, M.P.H., L.M.S.W.
The Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight met on Aug. 26-27, 2024, focusing on a range of health and social services topics. Key discussions included the impact of the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH) model on rural hospitals and long-term care, workforce shortages in health care, Medicaid and CHIP eligibility and reimbursement rates, behavioral health programs in nursing facilities, and rate increases for specialized medical care and direct support providers. State agency presentations from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) highlighted updates on Medicaid and behavioral health initiatives, long-term care challenges, health care in correctional facilities, and new Medicaid programs such as doula services.
The conversation between committee members and presenters included a discussion on the intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) waiting list, with questions focused on the significant delays and potential solutions to expedite services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Committee members also raised concerns regarding health care workforce shortages, specifically the impact of new CMS staffing requirements on long-term care facilities, particularly in rural areas. There were inquiries about Medicaid reimbursement processes, including the disparity in waiver rates and the potential for rate parity across waivers. Members sought clarification on issues such as value-based services in nursing homes, the expansion of Medicaid dental services and the effects of Medicaid program changes, such as the introduction of doula services.
Additionally, the Committee explored challenges related to the REH model's impact on rural hospitals, questioning state agencies on their authority to provide waivers that could help rural facilities maintain services like skilled nursing care despite federal restrictions. There also was a discussion about the KanCare 3.0 procurement process, including the need for transparency and stakeholder engagement. Committee members emphasized the importance of a smooth transition to the next phase of KanCare contracts to avoid disruptions in care and services and highlighted the need for adequate timeframes for the managed care organization contracts to ensure continuity and stability in the system.
The Committee will meet again on Oct. 22-23.
About Kansas Health Institute
The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.