Legislature

Governor proposes cuts in children's programs

1 | Feb. 06, 2012 | Budget, Children, Legislature

Citing uncertainty in the amount of money Kansas will receive from major tobacco companies as part of a long-standing legal settlement, Gov. Sam Brownback has proposed cutting $16 million from programs that promote parenting skills and early childhood development.

SRS admits lax investigation of abuse reports

0 | Feb. 02, 2012 | SRS, Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

The acting head of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services today apologized for the agency not doing enough to investigate reports of elder abuse and neglect.

Testimony favors diversion agreements for the mentally ill

0 | Feb. 01, 2012 | Legislature, Mental Health

A father whose mentally ill son has had several encounters with police testified in favor of a bill that would create a legal framework so that low-level offenders who are mentally ill could get treatment in lieu of jail time.

Wichita lawmaker introduces KanCare oversight bill

0 | Feb. 01, 2012 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

A Wichita lawmaker has introduced a bill that would require an annual evaluation of the state's Medicaid managed care contractors.

Nursing home administrators pan abuse hotline

0 | Jan. 31, 2012 | SRS, Legislature, Health Care Delivery

The chairman of the House Committee on Aging and Long-term Care says he's fed up with SRS' adminstration of the hotline for reporting adult abuse and exploitation.

SRS defends change in food stamp policy

1 | Jan. 30, 2012 | Children, SRS, Legislature, Nutrition

A top official at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services defended a change in policy that has resulted in at least 1,000 children being dropped from the state’s food stamp program.

‘Turf battle’ continues over dental practitioner bill

0 | Jan. 30, 2012 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP, Oral Health

A bill that would allow a new type of oral health care provider in Kansas faces opposition from dentists. But backers of the bill include the state’s safety net clinics, major health foundations, several dentists who disagree with the association’s stand and officials at Fort Hays State University, which wants to launch a program to train the registered dental practitioners.

Committee to hear mental health diversion bill

0 | Jan. 27, 2012 | Legislature, Mental Health

The House Committee on Corrections and Juvenile Justice is scheduled to take up a bill designed to encourage prosecutors to enter diversion agreements with mentally ill offenders.

Ag secretary criticizes bioscience board

0 | Jan. 26, 2012 | Legislature

Agriculture Secretary Dale Rodman, the administration's point man during the audit of the Kansas Bioscience Authority, criticized the authority's board of directors in remarks to a joint meeting of the House and Senate Commerce committees. KBA directors weren't given an opportunity to respond during the hearing, but KBA Chairman Dan Watkins later told reporters that the criticisms were off-base and that the administration was pushing for control of the agency.

Auditors report potential cost savings for Kan-ed

0 | Jan. 26, 2012 | Legislature

Legislators have several options for transforming Kan-ed and saving the state money, according to an audit report. The state could save $2 million annually by switching half of the institutions that use the Kan-ed network over to commercial internet providers.

Committee endorses confict-of-interest bill

0 | Jan. 26, 2012 | KDoA, SRS, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, Medicaid-CHIP

The House Committee of Aging and Long-term Care today endorsed a bill aimed at reducing potential for fraud and abuse in Medicaid-funded services for the disabled.

Kansas Health Matters website demonstrated to lawmakers

0 | Jan. 25, 2012 | Legislature, Health Care Delivery

The Senate and House health committees saw the new Kansas Health Matters website demonstrated during a joint session.

Attorney says bilking Medicaid is easy

0 | Jan. 25, 2012 | Legislature, Health Care Delivery, Medicaid-CHIP

The head of the Medicaid fraud unit at the Kansas Attorney General’s Office told lawmakers it was easy to cheat programs that provide in-home services for the disabled and the frail elderly.

KU Cancer Center director defends Kansas Bioscience Authority

0 | Jan. 25, 2012 | KU Medical Center, Legislature

The director of the University of Kansas Cancer Center today urged legislators to "not throw the baby out with the bath water" as they consider the results of an extensive audit of operations at the Kansas Bioscience Authority.

Verification system off to a rocky start

0 | Jan. 23, 2012 | Agencies, Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

Sen. Vicki Schmidt, R-Topeka, today blasted the administration’s efforts to install a cell phone-based system that is supposed to verify when attendant care workers provide in-home services to the disabled and the frail elderly.

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