Legislative Priorities
To meet the needs of Kansas seniors and to accomplish K4A Legislative Policy Priorities K4A urges:
Budget:
$900,000 SGF budget increase in Home & Community Based Services Waiver for the Frail Elderly in FY 2012 to cover current caseload levels.
· Without in-home services, many Kansas seniors will have little choice but to enter a nursing home to receive needed care.
The average cost of Nursing Home Care vs. Home and Community Based Services
o SFY 2010 Average Nursing Home Cost $34,337 annually per person
o SFY 2010 Average HCBS-FE Waiver Cost $12,720 annually per person
Restoration of $1,333,949 in funding for the Senior Care Act Program in FY 2012 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 attendant care, homemaker, case management and respite care; the keys to allowing a person to stay in the community and to avoid entering the more expensive Medicaid system.
· As of January 31st, 135 Kansas seniors were on a waiting list to receive Senior Care Act in-home services and are going without the services they need to function successfully in their home.
The average cost of Nursing Home Care vs. Senior Care Act Services
o SFY 2010 Average Nursing Home Cost $34,337 annually per person
o SFY 2010 Average SCA Cost $1,183 annually per person (SGF)
Restoration of $750,000 Essential Base Funding for Area Agencies on Aging- This funding was provided to Area Agencies on Aging to be able to cover base costs of assessing needs and providing services. Funding was eliminated in SFY 2010. Changes in federal policy by CMS and cuts in state dollars seriously affected the Area Agencies on Aging’s (AAA) financial ability to access customers in their homes and provide services. The Senior Health Insurance Counseling program is historically underfunded.
· Base funding allowed Area Agencies on Aging to make home visits to seniors, enabling qualified staff to assess the home environment, providing a complete assessment of needs.
· Base funding enabled Area Agencies on Aging to provide outreach efforts for Medicare insurance counseling and Medicare Part D enrollment.
Restoration of $300,000 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. Inclusion of full funding of the Act in the FY2012 budget.
Description:
Area agencies on aging 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, 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
