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Legislative Update: Week of March 17-21
This week, LeadingAge Kansas focused on grassroots advocacy to senators asking to oppose any cuts to aging services funding in HB2007 when it ran on the floor on Tuesday. From the motions we heard and reviewed, funding remained intact from the House position meaning we do not have to go to conference and those funding allotments have been approved for the FY26 budget year. That includes a full rebase and Medicaid add-on of $20/Medicaid resident/day for nursing home providers and a rebase to 90% of AWOP for PACE providers. HCBS-FE funding from last year was maintained in the base budget.
Since none of our bills had time to advance through a respective chamber this year, the session has essentially wrapped up for LeadingAge Kansas aside from Aging Services Day on Monday, March 24. This is the perfect opportunity to thank legislators for their funding support as well as laying further groundwork ahead of next session on our other priorities. If you haven’t done so, get registered today!
Save the Date: Spring Workforce Regional Roundtables
Save the date for spring regional roundtables with a focus on workforce development for aging services. LeadingAge Kansas provider members, direct care staff, local workforce boards, educational institutions, policymakers, chambers of commerce, and hospitals are invited to these aging services workforce roundtables. After a brief discussion on workforce trends, participants will break into groups to identify barriers and explore solutions. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen the aging services workforce. This event is free of charge, but no CEUs will be available. Information on location and times to come soon.
Southwest Region – Monday, May 5
Northwest Region – Tuesday, May 6
Central Region – Wednesday, May 7
Eastern Region – Thursday, May 8
Governor Appointments and Board Nominations
There are several boards and committees within Kansas that impact aging services providers, including the Board of Adult Care Home Administrators, Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, Kansas Guardianship Program Board of Directors, State Board of Nursing, and the Kansas Board of Regents. These boards have positions vacant and needing filled by July 1, 2025.
Board of Adult Care Home Administrators
Health Professional
Consumer
Administrator – LeadingAge Kansas seat
State Board of Nursing
2 RNs
1 LPN
1 APRN
1 Public Member (currently vacant, could begin immediately)
We need members with real, frontline experience to sit on these boards to accurately capture the needs and realities of regulations and how they impact service delivery to aging Kansans. If you or someone within your organization is interested in filling any of the seats above, email Kylee Childs by April 1.