Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home & Community Based Services & KanCare Oversight
(Rep. Will Carpenter, Chair)
The Joint Committee met Friday, Jan. 23, to receive updates on long-term care oversight, Medicaid and managed care operations, workforce and capacity constraints, and emerging state policy considerations related to artificial intelligence in health care.
Read testimony submitted by all conferees.
Long-Term Care Oversight and Resident Protections
The Committee heard testimony highlighting systemic issues affecting residents of adult care homes, including staffing shortages, reliance on contract and agency staff, and outdated staffing ratios that may not reflect current resident acuity. Additional concerns included facility-initiated discharges, particularly in state-licensed-only settings that lack appeal rights and mandatory Ombudsman notification; variation in memory care training standards; medication management practices; and limited transparency related to ownership and financial structures.
Program Integrity and Oversight
The Office of the Inspector General reported an increase in fraud, waste and abuse complaints and provided an overview of ongoing audit activity. Audit findings are shared with agencies to identify systemic issues and support corrective action, with additional investigation pursued as warranted.
Managed Care Organization (MCO) Performance and Provider Experience
The MCOs provided updates on member experience, provider relations and operational performance under KanCare 3.0. Presenters reported improvements in claims processing timelines, call center responsiveness, provider network size and satisfaction survey results. Committee members sought clarification on survey methodologies, provider/network growth trends, and access challenges, including dental services.
Rural Health Transformation and Medicaid Operations
KDHE Sec. Janet Stanek updated the Committee on Kansas’ CMS-funded Rural Health Transformation Program funding, emphasizing the funding’s restricted use, reimbursement structure and extensive federal reporting requirements. All proposed initiatives were approved, focusing on prevention, primary care access, workforce development, value-based care, and data infrastructure. Sec. Stanek emphasized the need to demonstrate measurable outcomes to maintain funding.
State Medicaid Director Christine Osterlund outlined anticipated federal policy changes affecting eligibility reviews, immigration status determinations, hospital directed payments, retroactive eligibility and prior authorization. She highlighted uncertainty related to pending CMS guidance and explained the need for one-time system investments to meet new federal requirements.
Aging, Disability and Behavioral Health Systems
KDADS leadership presented budget and operational updates across aging, disability and behavioral health programs. Updates included funding priorities for HCBS waivers, capital and staffing needs at state hospitals and continued reliance on contract staffing due to persistent workforce shortages. Survey and certification leadership described efforts to reduce inspection backlogs through expanded recruitment, noting challenges related to compensation, training and travel demands. Behavioral health updates included participation in a multi-state technical assistance initiative supporting Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics (CCBHCs) and progress toward an Institution for Mental Diseases/Serious Mental Illness 1115 waiver.
Mental Health Access and Workforce Support
The Committee received a presentation on the Kansas Mental Health Consultation and Resource Network, including KS Kids MAP and Kansas Connecting Communities, which provide provider-facing psychiatric consultation, care coordination, and training to support pediatric and perinatal mental health care in primary care settings. Presenters reported that the programs have expanded access to timely care, particularly in rural areas.
Artificial Intelligence and Health Policy
Expert testimony addressed the growing use of artificial intelligence in health care, including administrative, clinical and consumer-facing applications. Presenters outlined emerging legal and policy challenges related to AI-driven chatbots and decision-support tools, particularly in mental health contexts, and described limitations of existing legal frameworks related to duty of care and accountability.
Committee Action
Before adjourning, Committee members discussed SB 327, which would remove the requirement that the Joint Committee meet when the Legislature is in regular session. The Joint Committee would still be required to meet at least once in January and once in April but would not be required to meet while the Legislature is in session. The committee would continue to maintain two consecutive meeting days in the third and fourth quarters.