Kansas Advocacy Updates: January 28, 2026

ICYMI: Legislative Update | January 27, 2026 

Weeks 1 & 2 at the Kansas Legislature:

The first two weeks of the Kansas legislative session have moved quickly. During week one, the Governor delivered her State of the State address and released her FY27 budget recommendations. While those recommendations still serve as a useful comparison point, they no longer drive the Legislature’s work. Lawmakers are now using their own budget process, reviewing prior-year budgets line by line to determine what to continue, adjust, or eliminate. This year’s base budget bills are HB 2434 (House) and SB 315 (Senate), with the Senate again running a parallel budget and differences expected to be resolved in conference committee later this session. 

Attention now turns to KDADS budget hearings this week in House Social Services Budget (January 29) and Senate Ways and Means Human Services Subcommittee (January 30). LeadingAge Kansas will testify in support of key priorities: a nursing facility rebase, continuation of the nursing facility Medicaid capacity payment ($20 per resident per day), HCBS-FE waiver funding for overages in FY 26 and FY27, and increased senior nutrition funding to address growing waitlists. The PACE rebase is already included in both budget bills, so it will not be part of our testimony. 

Beyond the budget, the past two weeks have been filled with productive meetings with legislators to reinforce our policy and funding priorities. And Aging Services Day was a standout success; legislators repeatedly shared how valuable the conversations and information were. Thank you for showing up, engaging, and making such a strong impression. Great work! 

Bills of Interest (Click to see the full list) 

• HB2392 (from 2025 legislative session) – nurse faculty educational requirements – in House Health 

• HB2184 (from 2025 legislative session) – staffing agency standards – in House Social Services Budget 

• HB2163 (from 2025 legislative session) – aging services preceptor tax incentive – on House Floor 

• SB334 (2026 legislative session) – nurse faculty educational requirements – in Senate Commerce 

Coming Up This Week 

• SB334 – Senate Commerce – Thursday, January 29 at 1:30 p.m. – LeadingAge Kansas will be testifying 

• KDADS Budget Public Testimony – House Social Services Budget – Thursday, January 29 at 3:30 p.m. 

• KDADS Budget Public Testimony – Senate Ways and Means Human Services Subcommittee – Thursday, January 30 at 10:30 a.m. 

Coming Up Next Week 

Budget report outs to House Appropriations and Senate Ways and Means on KDADS Budget (TBD). 

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Reminder: Share Your Comments, Concerns, and Questions for HCBS-FE Waiver Waitlist 

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) is accepting public comment from January 15, 2026 through February 14, 2026 on proposed amendments to the following Kansas Medicaid 1915(c) waivers (posted on the KDADS website here): 

• Brain Injury (BI)
• Physical Disability (PD)
• Frail Elderly (FE)
• Technology Assisted (TA)

Effective May 1, 2026

The proposed amendments cover the following: 

1. Waiver Administration 
   • The State has separated the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) and the Assessing Entity into two separate contracts. ADRC and options counseling functions will be administered by Liberty and assessment functions will be administered by Maximus. (BI, PD, FE) 
   • Clarified the independent assessing entity’s role and updated waiver language. (TA) 
   • The State is no longer contracting with local non-State entities. (BI, PD, FE) 
2. Reserve Capacity 
   • The State has adjusted the reserve capacity for two purposes and added a third purpose: (BI) 
     • Reduced Temporary Institutional Stay 
     • Increased Institutional Transitions 
     • Added DCF Custody (new) 
   • The State has added reserve capacity for three purposes: (FE) 
     • Temporary Institutional Stay 
     • HCBS Institutional Transitions 
     • PACE
3. Selection of Entrants to the Waiver
   • Implementation and management of a waitlist. (FE)
     • Personal Care Services (PCS)
       • Updated PCS checklist. (TA)
       • Removed virtual delivery of PCS. (TA)
       • Updated provider qualifications for Agency-Directed Personal Care Services. (PD, FE)
     • Other Updates
       • Updated legally responsible individuals language. (TA)
       • Updated unduplicated count. (FE, TA)
       • Cleaned up service plan development language. (TA)
     • Rates
       • The State has increased rates approved by the Legislature. (BI, TA)

Comments may be submitted using the online comment form on the webpage, or by email or standard mail: 

Email: kdads.hcbs-ks@ks.gov 

Mail: Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services Attn: HCBS Programs 503 S. Kansas Avenue Topeka, KS 66603