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Minutes for HB2550 - Committee on Social Services Budget

Short Title

Increasing reimbursement rates for providers of home and community-based services under the intellectual or developmentally disabled waiver.

Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 12, 2020

Chairperson Carpenter opened the hearing on HB2550.

David Fye, Research Staff, reviewed HB2550.

Matt Fletcher gave testimony in support of HB2550: (Attachment 26)

  • under-funding of he Intellectual/Developmental Disability system.
  • crumbling provider capacity of erosion of existing capacity to serve those already in the system.
  • Intellectual/Developmental Disability waiting list.

Colin McKenney testified in support of HB2550 talking about the workforce crisis and what it means for his organization and numerous organizations across the state.  He has a team of people who are engaged in nearly constant efforts to find qualified people to serve individuals who may not make it through the day if they don't have the quality of care that they require. (Attachment 27)

Vicki Keffer testified in support of HB2550 telling about the challenges she faces finding people.  Since January 2018, they had 137 employees come and go from her organization.  Finding people that want to turn it into a career rather than a job because a job is a come and go.  A career is something that gives them a destination, something that they are able to see growth and a future with. (Attachment 28)

Kim Wright testified in support of HB2550 speaking about her job as an Employment Associate at TARC Industries and also as a coach for those with disabilities.  When people ask why she does the work she does, she tells them how fulfilling it is.  Her job allows those that struggle to have a chance to show what they can do and be all that they can be.  She thinks about whether she should continue this line of work or whether she should go into another profession and make more money. (Attachment 29)

Kaela Harrington testified in support of HB2550 stating that she is the direct support professional that works with people with Intellectual/Developmental, Demencia and Alzheimers.  She is very passionate about what she does. Seeing the people she works with being empowered and felling valued and gaining or maintaining independence.  She loves what she does but it is a struggle to survive off of her income. (Attachment 30)

Diane Voss testified in support of HB2550 giving her story about her son Shawn who is 26 years old with Autism and is in a group home.  He is classified as non-verbal.  She relies on trained staff.  There is a constant turnover of staff in the group home.  She visited with some staff that was leaving and they said they couldn't pay their bills.  These people need to get paid for what they are doing.  They do top notch work. (Attachment 31)

Bob Ireland testified in support of HB2550 giving his story about his son Shane who was diagnosed with Autism at the age of 2 and is now 30 years old.  He goes to day services and is worried about him when him and his wife are gone.  He needs care all the time. (Attachment 32)

Bongi Wenyika testified in support of HB2550 giving her story about her 17 year old son who has autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities and bipolar disorder.  Her son was transitioned to Lake Mary School in Paola in January and thanks to trained professionals and support, is doing well both academically and behaviorally.  They just started the application process for Intellectual services and he has to wait 8 years to access services. (Attachment 33)

Steve Gieber gave neutral testimony on HB2550 stating that his organization advises policy makers on issues impacting people with intellectual disabilities and their families.  The service system is underfunded and experiencing a workforce crisis. (Attachment 34)

Mike Burgess gave neutral testimony on HB2550 stating that they are generally supportive of increasing Home and Community Based Services Intellectual/Developmental Disability waiver rates, there are significant needs across all of the Home and Community Based Services waivers and the other waivers should be included in a rate increase.  The bill does not increase the number of individuals served or add any new needed services into the waiver. Both of which are also needed, but not addressed in the bill. (Attachment 35)

Kathy Lobb along with Stephanie Sanford testified in opposition on HB2550 stating that they should take a step back and consider what it does, but most importantly, what is doesn't do.  The amount of requested funding is substantial and could transformative in their system.  Without guidance on expenditures and outcomes, they are simply perpetuating the existing broken system. (Attachment 36)

The following Proponents provided Written Testimony:

The following provided written Neutral Testimony:

  • Craig Knutson, Policy Analyst, Kansas Council on Developmental Disabilities (Attachment 51)
  • Ami Hyten, Director, Topeka Independent Resource Center, GRAIL - Grassroots Advocates for Independent Living (Attachment 52)
  • Evan Dean, Kansas University Center on Developmental Disabilities (Attachment 53)
  • Barb Conant, co-Administrator, KanCare Advocates Network (Attachment 54)

Chairman Carpenter closed the hearing on HB2550.

Meeting was adjourned at 5:14 pm.

Next scheduled meeting is February 17, 2020.