2022 Kansas Legislative Session Ends
The Kansas Legislature returned to Topeka for one last day to wrap up their business. Here is the status of the two bills vetoed by the Governor last week
Veto override success
- House Bill 2387 prohibits the issuance of a request for proposal or entering into a new contract for the administration and provision of benefits under the Medical Assistance Program and removes the authority of the governor to prohibit attending or conducting certain religious services and worship services. The vote to override the veto passed in the House on a vote of 84-38 and the Senate on a vote of 27-10.
No Motion Made to Override Veto
Sub for SB 34 Prohibiting a governmental entity or public official from ordering or otherwise requiring any individual to wear a face mask as a response to a contagious or infectious disease; prohibiting a governmental entity or public official from issuing or requiring use of a COVID-19 vaccination passport or discriminating against any individual based upon COVID-19 vaccination status
Additional Details Available on $15 million in ARPA Funds for Nursing Facilities
Last week Governor Kelly signed HB 2510 also known as the Omnibus Budget Bill. Among many other things, the bill directs $15 million to be used as a “Nursing facilities support fund.” The legislative summary states that the bill adds $15.0 million, from federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA) funds, to provide funding to nursing facilities to cover rising costs associated with staffing shortages for facilities.
Because it is $15 million in ARPA funds, KDADS will have to work with the Office of Recovery on distributing the funds, and hashing out details on what exactly the funds can be used for under federal law, and what reporting requirements will need to be satisfied to meet federal requirements.
Here are the basic details we know so far:
- Funds will be distributed based on licensed beds as of May 15th regardless of payor source
- Funds will not be distributed until late July due to extra layer of processing from the Office of Recovery
- Only facilities open on the day funds are distributed will receive a payment
