Join Us for Aging Services Day at the Legislature on February 1st in Topeka
For the first time, we’re hosting a joint Aging Services Legislative with Kansas Healthcare Association/Kansas Center for Assisted Living (KHCA/KCAL) and Kansas Adult Care Executives (KACE). Come join us and make your voice heard on long term care funding and workforce issues! Priority deadline registration is January 22.
Unprecedented Timelines and Hot Topic Issues
Despite a shorter week due to the holiday on Monday, the legislature made moves to pass a conference committee report of their proposed tax cuts. While the report incorporated many of the provisions in Governor Kelly’s proposed tax plan, the 5.25% flat tax by 2025 will be sticking point between the two. Last year, Governor Kelly vetoed the flat tax bill passed out of the legislature and the Senate did not have the two-thirds required votes to override the veto. The Governor will have 10 days to respond or the bill will go into law without signature. Governor Kelly has introduced a bill on Medicaid Expansion in each chamber and has called on leadership to allow for hearings to be held by Kansas Day on January 29. We anticipate these two issues to be further debated and discussed throughout session and will notify you on important updates as they occur.
Bills Introduced this Week
- HB 2548 – Enacting the no patient left alone act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care homes, and hospice facilities. In House Health and Human Services.
- HB 2532 – Changing certain reporting requirements of group-funded liability and workers compensation pools. In House Judiciary.
- SB 352 – Enacting the John D. Springer patient’s bill of rights to require hospitals to allow in-person visitation, adopt visitation policies and procedures and creating a civil cause of action for violation of such rights. In Senate Public Health and Welfare.
Coming Up Next Week
- Monday, January 22: Hearing on budgets for Kansas Board of Nursing, Kansas Board of Pharmacy, and Kansas Board of Mortuary Arts in House Social Services Budget.
- Tuesday, January 23: Hearing on SB 338, changing certain reporting requirements of group-funded liability and workers compensation pools, in Senate Financial Institutions and Insurance.
- Tuesday, January 23: Update on new Veterans Home in Senate Ways and Means.
- Wednesday, January 24: Hearing on agency budget for Kansas Guardianship Program.
Wednesday, January 24: Briefing on nursing staff shortages from the Kansas Commission on Veterans Affairs and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services in Senate Ways and Means.
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