Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight

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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 for the final time this year on October 22-23, 2024, to discuss various health policy issues and Medicaid-related updates. Testimony was presented by representatives from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), providers and advocacy organizations. Discussion focused on delays in managed care organization (MCO) decisions affecting nursing homes, staffing shortages in long-term care facilities, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and the impact of federal regulations, such as the recently finalized minimum staffing rule. Committee members also discussed improving Medicaid services, including reimbursement rate increases, the introduction of doula services, and the expansion of autism support. 

The Committee also heard testimony about workforce and financial challenges in long-term care, the use of direct support professionals, and proposed changes to home-plus care licensure caps. Stakeholders emphasized the need for increased Medicaid rates for pediatric care and services for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Significant updates included progress on reducing the I/DD waiting list and recommendations to streamline waiver programs for improved access and efficiency from a study conducted by the Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities. 

State agency updates from KDHE and KDADS highlighted progress on KanCare 3.0 implementation, the rural emergency hospital model, and improvements in Medicaid postpartum services. Committee members expressed concerns about the limited number of Medicaid-enrolled doulas in Kansas and their potential to address maternal and infant health disparities, emphasizing the importance of monitoring outcomes and addressing gaps in services. The Committee will continue to monitor these initiatives, particularly workforce challenges, Medicaid reimbursement rates, and outcomes from recent policy implementations.