(Jan. 28, 2025) – Today, the House Social Services Budget Committee, chaired by Dave Buehler (R-Lansing), heard from public and advocacy groups about the needed investments and enhancements critical to the services under the Kansas Department of Health and Environment purview. The Kansas Hospital Association, in partnership with several hospitals, highlighted the need for maximizing the provider assessment, additional Medicaid rate enhancements, add-on payments for critically needed services such as behavioral health and maternity care, and the continuation of the Rural Hospital Innovation Grant Fund. KHA also highlighted the need to explore an avoidable days program in the state and maintain funding for centralized credentialing under the new managed care organization contracts.

The committee will continue to work on agency budgets throughout the week.