To meet the needs of Kansas seniors and to accomplish K4A Legislative Policy Priorities K4A urges:

Budget:

Restoration of 10% Medicaid Payment Reduction to Medicaid Providers to include Targeted Case Management. 

• There is simply no question that, given the magnitude of these cuts, access to health care and in-home services in our state will be impaired, resulting in people receiving care in more expensive settings or not receiving care at all.

Restoration of  $1,258,588 in funding for the Senior Care Act Program cuts in FY 2010 and  the proposed reduction of $315,484 in FY 2011 budget. 

• Without community-based options available more Kansas seniors will have no service option except nursing home care.

• State funded Senior Care Act provides basic care such as homemaker and attendant care; often the key to allowing a person to stay in the community and to avoid entering the more expensive Medicaid system.

• As of December 31^st ,  321 Kansas seniors were on a waiting list to receive Senior Care Act in-home services and are going without the services they may need to function successfully in their home.

• Senior Care Act spending on average is $1,288 annually (SGF) per person while Medicaid nursing home spending average is $34,056 annually per person ($10,217 SGF)

Restoration of $750,000 in Essential Community Based Services Funding for Area Agencies on Aging.

• The restoration of $750,000 in essential base funding allows Area Agencies on Aging to access seniors within their home environment. Assessments in the home provide a complete picture of the services needed.  The base funding enables Area Agencies on Aging to provide essential core services including: information and access services, community-based services, in-home services, housing and elder rights.

Restoration of $675,000 in funding for senior nutrition programs.

Legislation:

• Legislation to enact the geriatric mental health act; establishing a geriatric mental health education, outreach and service program administered by the Kansas Department on Aging.

• Legislation to have Kansas enact minimum qualifications and training standards for all paid home health workers serving seniors.

Description:

AAAs provide assessments for community-based and facility-based services, information, care management and many other services for Kansas seniors. In Kansas, AAAs are the “single point of entry,” coordinating the delivery of publicly-funded community-based services.  The Area Agency on Aging system is federally, state and locally funded and locally administered. Consequently, service delivery/decisions are made in the community, the level closest to the seniors needing services. 

Kansas Area Agencies on Aging are part of a national network of 629 AAAs and 246 Title VI organizations.  Area Agencies on Aging established under the Older Americans Act (OAA) in 1973 to respond to the needs of seniors and caregivers in every local community. The services available through the Area Agencies on Aging fall into broad categories: Information and Access services, Community Services (including nutrition), In-Home services, Housing and Elder Rights. The Area Agencies on Aging fulfill their federal mandate as “the Leader” on aging issues at the local level.  K4A works to improve services and supports for all older Kansans, their families and  caregivers.

We would appreciate the opportunity to discuss these issues with you.  Inquiries may be directed your local AAA Director or:

Kansas Area Agencies on Aging Association
Craig Kaberline, Executive Director                   
email:  craig@k4a.org
(785) 267-1336