Kansas Health Institute | Work by Mike Shields

Gavels drop on 2012 Legislature

Longest ever wrap-up session ends after a budget plan is finally approved

The Kansas Legislature ended its longest ever wrap-up session Sunday after both chambers agreed to a budget plan. Read more here for updates on various health-related items settled in the budget.

Legislature grinds on

No headway on budget or taxes

Legislators continued to grind away on budget, taxes and redistricting but seemed to make little, if any, progress toward reaching agreements between the House and Senate. The governor repeated his pledge to sign a massive tax cutting bill in the absence of an alternative. But House budget negotiators late Friday introduced a new proposal suggesting that a tax deal might still materialize before the last gavel is dropped.

House poised to vote on compromise tax bill

Budget director compares two tax plans to Miss America contest: "two beautiful options"

Budget Director Steve Anderson, speaking on behalf of Gov. Sam Brownback, urged House GOP members to consider an alternate tax plan crafted by House and Senate tax negotiators, saying members now have "two beautiful options" to choose between. House members later voted 66-49 to consider the alternate, assuming the Senate also agrees to consider the bill..

Legislature ends Day 95 without budget accord

Some progress made but final deal high-centered over tax differences

The big stare-down between the Kansas House and Senate continued through the session's 95th day. Budget negotiators tentatively settled most of a long list of differences but couldn't find agreement on public school spending. House bargainers said they couldn't settle on a compromise until parallel negotiations over tax cuts were settled.

Budget and tax negotiators deadlocked

Another day at the Legislature without progress on taxes or budget

The Legislature's budget impasse broadened to include the revived negotiations over tax cuts.

Senate offer would shift domestic violence program to Governor's Office from SRS

House and Senate budget negotiations continued another day with a final spending plan still unsettled

Senate budget negotiators have proposed a major change in how the state funds programs for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. But the offer made during House-Senate budget negotiations was among the dozens of items still on the table when talks ended Monday. The bargaining teams agreed to resume talks at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

Legislature stalls; session heads into another week

Governor praises tax plan but others call it product of "war" within the Kansas GOP

As the second week of the Legislature's wrap-up session drew to a close, House and Senate budget negotiators continued to chip away slowly at their differences. Kansas Senate leaders began talking publicly about the factional "war" they are in with the governor and House. And the governor talked about being excited about a tax bill on his desk that critics say will leave the state budget under water.

Little progress made during budget negotiations

House and Senate bargainers to resume talks Friday

House and Senate budget negotiators met four times today but found little to agree upon. They agreed to resume talks at 9 a.m. Friday.

House agrees to big Senate tax cut package

What once seemed a worst-case scenario comes closer to reality

In what passes for high drama at the Kansas Statehouse, the House and Senate today simultaneously took up dueling tax plans. The afternoon showdown was fought in a flurry of parliamentary maneuvers that ended when the House passed a measure so big that even some of the most ardent tax cutters conceded it would need fixing sooner or later.

Kansas House approves spending plan

Stage set for negotiations with Senate

After more than nine hours of debate, members of the Kansas House late Tuesday approved a state spending plan, setting the stage for a new round of negotiations with the Senate. The chambers are divided on a variety of budget details and the House plan would spend about $165 million less from the state general fund than the Senate has approved. According to rough estimates, the House budget would leave a fiscal 2013 ending balance of about $700 million without taking into account tax-cutting proposals.

Revised tax plan endorsed by GOP negotiators

House and Senate negotiators reached accord on a new plan that would reduce the state income taxes incrementally over five years.

Senate approves budget

Additional money included for social service waiting lists, public schools and Larned hospital

The Kansas Senate approved its latest version of the state budget after adding about $77 million for public schools, $5 million to help reduce the waiting list for services for the disabled and $1.9 million to help deal with understaffing at Larned State Hospital.

KanCare waiver application completed

Medicaid 1115 waiver application submitted for federal review

As part of its effort to remake the Kansas Medicaid program, the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback has completed its 1115 Medicaid waiver application. Lt. Gov. Jeff Colyer and other top administration officials fielded questions about it during an hour-long press conference.

House and Senate tax negotiators reach agreement

Staff preparing details on plan to trim state income taxes

House and Senate tax negotiators reached agreement on a plan that would trim state income and sales taxes and provide some local property tax relief. A provision previously passed by the House that would have eliminated the sales tax on food was not included in the package. The plan would allow low-income, working Kansans to continue to claim the Earned Income Tax Credit or get a refund for taxes paid for food purchases, but they couldn't claim both.

Brownback responds to DoJ investigation

Governor says Kansas in 'full compliance' with federal obligations for serving the disabled

Gov. Sam Brownback said the state is in "full compliance" with all federal obligations in the way it provides Medicaid service to the disabled. He also sent a response letter to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Civil Rights taking to task HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius.

Governor heeds call to postpone DD in KanCare

Long-term services for the developmentally disabled would not be included until Jan. 1, 2014

Gov. Sam Brownback announced he supports delaying for a year the inclusion of long-term services for the developmentally disabled in KanCare, the administration’s plan for letting insurance companies manage day-to-day operations of the state’s $2.8 billion Medicaid program.

Former GOP legislators weigh in on income tax, school spending

Forty-eight ex-lawmakers sign letter asking for 'common sense' approach

Four dozen former Republican legislators have formed a group opposing proposals from the governor and Legislature to cut income taxes. Greater reliance on property and sales taxes would be unfair to poor and middle-income Kansans and would undermine school funding, members said in a joint statement delivered by former House Appropriations Chair Rochelle Chronister.

Wrapping up the session

Tax bills would leave hair-raising budget holes for fiscal 2014

When Kansas legislators return to the Statehouse this week to start the wrap-up session and begin finalizing the state budget, they will be facing the rosiest financial outlook they have seen in many years. But a projected $600 million surplus could vanish in months, if lawmakers finalize either of the major tax plans passed in the House or Senate during the regular session. For some, that is a hair-raising scenario.

House leader preparing proviso for KanCare carve-out

Services for developmentally disabled wouldn't be included in KanCare until 2014

House Majority Leader Arlen Siegfreid is preparing a budget proviso that would "carve out" until 2014 long-term services for the developmentally disabled from Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid makeover plan. It has been cleared with the Governor's Office.

KanCare waiver request to be ready soon, officials say

Senate budget writers briefed on Medicaid waiver status and other fiscal matters

The waiver application needed for Gov. Sam Brownback's proposed Medicaid makeover is nearly complete and could be filed with federal officials before the month is up, administration officials said. New federal regulations requiring public comment on the applications could be a factor in when the application is submitted.

KanCare reorganization moves forward

Changes start at Kansas social service agencies

Gov. Sam Brownback and his top welfare officials called a press conference to announce they are moving forward with the administration's plan to reorganize the state's social service agencies. The deadline for the Legislature to nix the agency shifts passed last week.

Counties weighing in on KanCare

The first resolution urging that services for the developmentally disabled be pulled from KanCare was jointly endorsed March 5 by commissioners in Marion and Harvey counties. The Topeka-based Kansas Association of Counties later distributed copies of the document to the state’s other 103 counties. Within a month, 22 other counties approved their own resolutions and more are expected to follow.

House debates DD KanCare carve-out

But procedural move sends bill back to committee

A move on the House floor to remove long-term services for the developmentally disabled from Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid makeover plan was stymied by a parliamentary procedure that essentially put the proposed legislation on ice.

Civil rights enforcers meet with governor on waiting list issue

Four civil rights enforcers from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services met privately today with Gov. Sam Brownback and top Kansas welfare officials to discuss the state's long waiting list for services to the disabled.

Budget bargainers end day deadlocked

House and Senate budget negotiators settled many differences but ended the day expressing frustration that the other side wasn't willing to bend more.

Governor, HHS official to discuss waiting list

The director of the Office for Civil Rights within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is scheduled to meet with Gov. Sam Brownback on Thursday to discuss concerns about the state's growing waiting list for services for the disabled.

Budget negotiators meet

Some progress made resolving House and Senate differences

One of the issues still dividing House and Senate budget negotiators is whether the Kansas Insurance Department may spend any federal dollars to implement the Affordable Care Act before the U.S. Supreme Court rules on the health reform law.

House endorses bill requiring insurance coverage of autism disorders

After lengthy debate that went into the evening, the Kanas House endorsed a bill to require insurers to cover autism disorders. HB 2764, as amended, also would require autism coverage by the state's HealtWave program.

KanCare oversight committee proposed

Joint committee would review Medicaid makeover

The Senate Ways and Means Committee has introduced a bill that would create a new joint committee to oversee implementation of Gov. Sam Brownback's KanCare Medicaid makeover plan. Administration officials welcomed the development and told lawmakers there would be a "rigorous readiness review" before the changes are launched. If the managed care companies fail the review, officials said, then KanCare's planned Jan. 1, 2013, launch date would be delayed.

House panel urged to remove long-term DD services from KanCare

Advocates for the developmentally disabled testified; administration response comes Thursday

Members of the House Health and Human Services committee were urged to approve a bill that would "carve-out" long-term services for the developmentally disabled from Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid makeover plan. Administration officials are scheduled to speak to the committee on Thursday.

Bill would ease Kansas smoking ban

HB 2690 sought by small bar owners

A measure that would add a major exemption to the state's Clean Indoor Air Act met opposition from health groups and doctors but has backing from many Kansas small bar owners and Americans for Prosperity.

House postpones debate on tax-reduction plan

Advocates for the poor make case for keeping Earned Income Tax Credit

Today’s expected House vote on a plan to reduce income taxes and cap state spending has been rescheduled to Tuesday.

Bill would let public hospitals and nursing homes continue ban on hidden firearms

But Kansas House votes to otherwise expand locations where concealed weapons could be carried

Officials at publicly owned hospitals and nursing homes could continue to prohibit the carrying of concealed firearms on their premises under a bill approved by the Kansas House. But House Bill 2353 would allow hidden gun carrying in most other public or municipal buildings, unless the facility had "adequate security measures," and officials had posted signs prohibiting gun carrying.

House advances Medicaid eligibility bill

Life insurance policies could be assigned to the state rather than spent down

The Kansas House advanced a measure that would let prospective Medicaid beneficiaries assign their life insurance policies to the state in order to meet the program's eligibility standards. Currently, people must liquidate the asset and spend the money before qualifying for Medicaid. Legislative backers of the proposal said it would help the state Medicaid program recoup some expenses and help people who need the program but otherwise would have to "spend down" to qualify for it.

House committee approves SRS and Aging budgets

Efforts by Democrats to add money for mental health and foster care services were rejected

Efforts by Democrats to add money for foster care and mental health services to the budgets for the state's lead social services agencies were rejected by the House Appropriations Committee.

KanCare concerns voiced at forum

A panel of four Medicaid experts addressed a crowd of about 120 people who gathered to hear more about Gov. Sam Brownback's KanCare plan. Among the concerns raised by the audience once the event conluded: The plan is moving too fast and there hasn't been enough transparency.

New Medicaid waiver process stipulates public meeting and comment

New federal rules could affect the Medicaid waiver request being prepared by Gov. Sam Brownback's administration.

Brownback Medicaid makeover an “ambitious” plan

Experts on the nation’s Medicaid program say that Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan to remake the state’s system for delivering health care to the poor, elderly and disabled is among the most far-reaching in the United States. And it faces an uncertain likelihood of gaining full approval from the federal government, least of all in time to meet the governor’s Jan. 1 target for implementing the changes.

Advocates for developmentally disabled continue opposition to KanCare carve-in

Another forum is scheduled Friday in Independence

Advocates for Kansans with developmental disabilities must continue pressing against Gov. Sam Brownback’s plan to include long-term care for the disabled as part of his administration’s Medicaid makeover, opposition leaders said. “If we are active on this issue, we will bend the will of the Legislature, and we will succeed,” said Tom Laing, executive director of InterHab Inc., a Topeka-based association that represents most of the state’s community-based disability service providers. About 200 people, including parents of children with developmental disabilities, attended the forum, the second like it in Johnson County in recent weeks. A similar forum is scheduled Friday in Independence.

Feds issue new rules on Medicaid waiver transparency

States seeking waivers must allow for public hearings and give 30-day notice of filings

Federal officials have released new rules intended to make the Medicaid waiver process more open and responsive to public concerns.

Centene and Coventry get Missouri managed care contracts

Companies also among those vying for Kansas Medicaid business

Centene and Coventry, two of the five major managed care companies seeking a contract with the Kansas Medicaid program, have landed awards from the state of Missouri, officials there announced. Today also was the deadline for bids on the Brownback administration's KanCare proposal.

Ways and Means takes up welfare agency reorganization

But no action expected until after the Legislature meets mid-session deadlines

The Senate Ways and Means Committee held a hearing on Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to reorganize the state's welfare agencies. Administration officials offered little new information about the proposed changes, first unveiled in November. The reorganization order drew little opposing testimony.

Centers struggle to cope with new rules

Too many changes coming too fast, directors say

The system that helps more than 6,000 physically disabled Kansans across the state live in their own homes instead of long-term care facilities is undergoing sweeping changes launched by the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback. Center directors say it is all too much, too fast.

Wichita lawmaker introduces KanCare oversight bill

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

‘Turf battle’ continues over dental practitioner bill

Dentists oppose new classification, while supporters cite need for dental care providers

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.

Ag secretary criticizes bioscience board

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.

KU Cancer Center director defends Kansas Bioscience Authority

KBA critical to KU cancer center quest, lawmakers told

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.

Senator calls for delay of governor's KanCare plan

Goddard Republican says too many unanswered questions remain about Medicaid makeover

Sen. Dick Kelsey, a Goddard Republican, recommended that Gov. Sam Brownback delay and modify his plan to remake the state's Medicaid program. Kelsey's statement came as the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee ended several days of hearings on the governor's KanCare proposal.

Spokesmen for the developmentally disabled pan Brownback Medicaid plan

Parents and others say KanCare proposal is untried and hasty

Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to include services for the developmentally disabled in a pending move to expand Medicaid managed care drew rebukes from spokesmen for disability groups and parents who said the administration's KanCare plan was untried and moving too quickly. They urged legislators to intervene.

Mental health centers voice conditional support for Medicaid makeover

"Devil is in the detail," lawmakers are told as part of ongoing hearings on KanCare plan

In a fourth day of hearings on Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to remake the state's Medicaid program, a spokesman for the state's community mental health centers voiced conditional support for the KanCare proposal. But others told legislators the plan was "radical" because of its scope and rapid timeline.