Capitol Comments Articles
Senate Ways and Means Committee Hears About Contract Nursing

Nurses (Feb. 4, 2025) – Today, the Senate Ways and Means Committee, chaired by Senator Rick Billinger (R-Goodland), heard updates from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services regarding the contract nursing needs at state hospitals. Deputy Secretary Scott Brunner reported that Larned State Hospital spent $22.7 million on contract staff and projected $43.8 million through the end of fiscal year 2025. Osawatomie spent $8.1 million with a projected total of $16.4 million through the end of FY 2025. The agency highlighted Governor Laura Kelly's budget recommendations to add $32,650,133 in State General Funds for contract nursing at Larned and $11 million in State General Funds for Osawatomie.

The vacancy rate for Larned State Hospital for registered nurses is 65.8 percent, licensed mental health technicians is 69.7 percent and mental health and developmental disability providers is 46.6 percent, but the overall vacancy rate has decreased from 45.3 percent to 36 percent.

Staff highlighted that the House Appropriations Committee added a proviso to prohibit Larned State Hospital from using contract nursing.