KanCare performance criticized at legislative oversight committee hearing
Two stories in November 19, 2014 edition of Wichita Eagle.
http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article4006733.html
http://www.kansas.com/news/politics-government/article4004587.html
DD parent advocate testifies about serious KanCare problems
Testimony given by parent advocate Marilyn Kubler to KanCare Legislative Oversight Committee, November 18, 2014
I have testified a couple of times previously to this committee on behalf of individuals I support on the Intellectual Developmental Disability (IDD) Home and Community Based (HCBS) waiver. Many families across the state have sent letters and personally pleaded with Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADs), Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) and this administration to consider how disruptive Kancare has been in the lives of the people with disabilities. I am a parent of an adult woman with disabilities who is on the IDD waiver, and I have a case management agency. Continue reading
Proposed HCBS changes threaten family and community providers
Advocate says……
It is very important that the word get out that public comment is being taken regarding changes:
http://www.kdads.ks.gov/CSP/Documents/ProposedChangestoHCBSProgramsOpenforPublicInput.pdf
These changes are going to make it even more challenging for us to keep our son at home with us. Continue reading
Limits on KanCare disability services stir controversy
From Topeka Capital Journal, November 15, 2014
Hays resident Tamera Checketts’ double-knee replacement operation interrupted work on a college degree. Aftermath of major surgery — stint in a nursing home, unexpected fracture of a femur, mobility-zapping pain — compounded obstacles to building a career and led her to seek disability assistance through the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services. She said the application process for Medicaid home-based services, such as help installing an entrance ramp at her house or placement of safety handles in the bath, had been a fruitless, bureaucratic nightmare.
KanCare is Failing the Disabled
Published in the Wichita Eagle, November 1, 2014
by Aldona Carney, Marla Flentje and Kay Soltz
The upcoming election is critical for families like ours that include a person with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). We fear that if Gov. Sam Brownback is re-elected, his Medicaid managed-care experiment called KanCare will further imperil the lives of our loved ones. Continue reading
New Allegations of KanCare Fraud
Kansas Governor is Forcing Disabled People Off Medicaid
From Think Progress, October 27, 2014
by Carl Gibson
The conservative experiment in Gov. Sam Brownback’s Kansas has led to more suffering across the board — not just for the state’s economy, but for people with disabilities who are losing life-sustaining services. Continue reading
Brownback Official Lays Groundwork for Massive TCM Disruption
New Light on the State’s Intent Regarding TCM Services
by Marla Flentje
Last week, an employee from the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), made clear that the Governor’s promise that families can keep their case managers is about to be abandoned. Continue reading
KanCare initiative concerns parents of developmentally disabled adults
Paul Davis Supports KanCare Carve Out for I/DD
A DD legislative advocacy coalition in South Central Kansas, ACT invited the three candidates for Kansas governor to a community forum on September 27 in Wichita.
Libertarian candidate Keen Umbehr sent a videotape expressing support for persons with disabilities. Governor Sam Brownback didn’t acknowledge the invitation or send a message. Representative Paul Davis made a personal appearance at the forum. He announced that if elected Governor, he will remove I/DD services from KanCare . Excerpts of the Davis speech include: Continue reading