Your Monday Morning Update!

January 13, 2014

Your Monday Morning Update:

Be still, close your eyes and listen carefully….that “whoosh” you hear is the sound of the Kansas Legislative delegation (all 40 Senators and 125 Representatives) heading to Topeka for their first day back to school.  I say “school” because the legislative session is a time of gathering knowledge, formulating answers and then demonstrating what has been learned (the only difference is that legislators don’t need to show their work).

When I think way, way, way back to my school days, I have memories of more than just learning, formulating and demonstrating knowledge. Things such as:

·             Having to taking turns

·             Rushing from class to class

·             Learning respect for other opinions and beliefs

·             Dealing with the layers of hierarchy (the popular kids vs. the nerds)

·             Wavering on whether something was ethical or merely cool

·             Dealing with the subtleties of bullying

·             The rivalry of picking teams and the embarrassment of being the last one picked

If you’ve ever spent a day at the Statehouse, you’ll realize that the legislative experience has similarities…

Now, please open your textbook to chapter 1 – KanCare.

The inclusion of the intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD) waiver has been delayed due to issues cited by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). We are unsure how long that delay will last. Beyond your comments and continued advocacy, there is robust national support that I/DD not be included. Other states have been taking notes and are getting actively involved in this issue. The good news is that this issue is now bigger than the 82,277 square miles in Kansas (this will be on the test).

Inclusion of I/DD into KanCare is not a done deal!  I have heard many legislators say that I/DD will be included in KanCare and that “the train has left the station.”  We all know that train tracks can be diverted. In the meantime, we continue to do what is necessary to prepare if/when it does occur. If you have concerns, reach out to your legislators let them know.  The www.invisiblekansans.org website will be up and running this afternoon, so this would be an easy way to contact your legislators.

Now, turn in your textbook to chapter 2 – Waiting List.

There was $4 million allocated last year for the waiting list, however the Crum Proviso (which said that money can’t be spent on the waiting list if I/DD isn’t in KanCare) has thrown us into an unexpected fire drill. With KanCare now on hold, and with folks already offered waiting list dollars, we had concerns. Thankfully, the State has said that those folks who have been offered waiting list dollars will NOT lose their funding however; the dollars that weren’t yet accepted or allocated are suspended.

CMS had a primary issue with the State’s “underserved” waiting list and has asked the State to come up with a plan on how to address this. This will be a major unexpected expense to the State as well as a major challenge to the community system to locate appropriate providers. There are more than 425 folks from Johnson County who are on that “underserved” list. We will work closely with the State and local providers to ensure that all needs are met.

Governor Brownback will present his State of the State address on January 15^th and will introduce his budget towards the end of the week. These set the stage for the session. With this year being an election year for Governor and Representatives, it will be interesting to see if we have a kinder and gentler agenda or one that is more aggressive and determined.

My hope is that our legislators choose not to learn from the School of Hard Knocks, rather remember that their duty is to listen, learn, and create laws in a thoughtful, respectful, and principled manner. Your responsibility is to share your wisdom with them. Teach away…

Warm regards,

Lurena Mead

Community Relations Manager

Johnson County Developmental Supports

10501 Lackman Rd. Lenexa, Kansas 66219

Direct (913) 826-2212  Office (913) 826-2626

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