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Minutes for SB160 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Establishing an independent home and community based services ombudsman.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 14, 2017
Chairperson Schmidt opened the hearing on SB160.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, presented an overview on the bill.
Steve Gieber testified in support of SB160. It is his position that SB160 will benefit people with disabilities and address the existing funding and underlying structural issues. (Attachment 1)
Sean Gatewood testified that passage of SB160 would create a truly independent Ombudsman program and would create the ability and authority to address all requests for support from Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) beneficiaries. (Attachment 2)
Mike Burgess testified in support of SB 160, which, if passed, would help provide much needed intensive advocacy supports to those who are HCBS KanCare beneficiaries. (Attachment 3).
Johne Green, a private citizen told of her disabled daughter's past experiences with the current KanCare and internal ombudsman system. She testified in support of the passage of SB160 as it will set up an independent ombudsman program outside of state government. (Attachment 4)
Ami Hyten testified in support of SB160 as it would create a responsive and conflict-free system to assist people to navigate long term services and support systems. (Attachment 5)
Janis DeBoer testified in support of SB160 and stated that an independent ombudsman program would prove beneficial in protecting the rights of seniors and individuals with disabilities. (Attachment 6)
Barb Conant provided testimony in support of SB160 indicating that its passage would bring Kansas into compliance with the deficiencies identified by Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and also provide KanCare HCBS waiver recipients with advocacy services to which they are entitled. (Attachment 7)
Written testimony in support of SB160 was submitted by:
Alana Foster, Private Citizen (Attachment 8)
Marilyn Kubler, Jenian Inc (Attachment 9)
Ernest Kutzley, American Association for Retired Persons(Attachment10)
Jill Bronaugh, Parent of KanCare consumer. (Attachment 11)
Verbal testimony with a neutral position of SB160 was presented by Kerri Bacon, KanCare Ombudsman Office (Attachment 12)
Written testimony in opposition of SB160 was submitted by Tim Keck, Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilities (Attachment 13)
After questions by the Committee were addressed, Chairperson Schmidt closed the hearing on SB160.
