TOPEKA, Kan. —
Thousands of Kansas residents are on waiting lists for services, a problem caused by deep cuts to the state budget, according to state social service agencies.
The problem was compounded when Democrat Gov. Mark Parkinson and the Legislature were forced last year to reduce Medicaid reimbursements to providers by 10 percent. Those reductions were eliminated in the 2011 budget, which began July 1.
A legislative committee heard comments from social service providers during a Statehouse meeting Monday.
“There are better ways to balance the budget than cutting social services that are essential to the health and well-being of Kansans with disabilities,” said Shannon Jones, director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas.
Legislators approved and Parkinson signed a 1-cent increase in the state sales tax rate to raise revenues and prevent additional cuts. The rate increased to 6.3 percent from 5.3 percent.
The Lawrence Journal-World reports that 2,444 Kansans with significant developmental disabilities are on a waiting list to receive home- and community-based services. Another 1,047 are receiving some services but are in line for additional services.
And 2,286 people with significant physical disabilities are on a waiting list.
“We are pushing the problem down on the family when you get right down to it,” said Don Jordan, Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services secretary.
Jordan told the House-Senate Home and Community-Based Services Oversight Committee that the agency also has eliminated some services it previously provided, including dental care and temporary respite care.
Rep. Bob Bethell, an Alden Republican and chairman of the committee, said the elimination of dental care could lead to more serious problems.
“If we cut those, it seems to me we would be putting people into more expensive hospitalizations,” Bethell said.
The Kansas Area Agencies on Aging Association said the budget cuts have forced about 400 low-income frail and elderly residents to wait for services. In addition, dental care, sleep cycle supports and assistive technology have all been eliminated in this program.
“There is simply no question that, given the magnitude of budget reductions, access to health care and in-home services in our state have been impaired, resulting in Kansas seniors receiving care in more expensive settings or not receiving care at all,” according to the association.
Local News
Thousands await Kansas social services
- Local News
-
-
‘A creek runs through it’ concept posed for new JHS
The Joplin Board of Education got its first peek at preliminary architectural renderings for the new Joplin High School at a special meeting Wednesday night. Architects from DLR Group, based in Omaha, Neb., and Corner Greer & Associates, based in Joplin, presented the plans to the board for its blessing to move forward with the design concept.
-
Joplin Globe wins APME Sweepstakes Award
A Joplin Globe project, “22 Miracles in May,” telling stories about 22 victims of the May 22 tornado, has won the APME Sweepstakes Award, it was announced this morning.
-
Okla. receives waiver from No Child Left Behind
Oklahoma’s top education official reacted with glee Thursday with the announcement that the state is one of 10 states being granted a waiver from the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires students be proficient in reading and math by 2014 — but focused on getting students to “just pass the tests.”
-
Mo. optometrist filed $40 million refund claim
A southwest Missouri optometrist who filed a tax return claiming a $40 million refund has been sentenced to four years and three months in federal prison.
-
Kan. House approves bipartisan redistricting bill
Power in the Kansas House is likely to shift next year from rural parts of the state to the Kansas City area after members overwhelmingly approved a bipartisan bill Thursday for redrawing their districts.
-
Horses getting dumped into Mo.’s wild herd
Owners who can no longer afford to care for their horses are abandoning them in southern Missouri hoping they will join Missouri’s only wild horse herd, which descends from animals set free in the Great Depression also by their impoverished owners.
-
School district’s proposed street-closing plan questioned
Plans to close some streets near the proposed Joplin High School drew questions, including a challenge from a former Joplin mayor, during a public hearing this week.
-
City wants to buy weather radios for those without
Phil Jones had been working on a construction project outside his house all day on May 22 and was unaware that a tornado watch had been issued. Once he was inside, though, his weather radio went off, and he learned that a warning had been issued.
-
Mike Pound: Spirit of competition evident during double-overtime game
When I played basketball in high school, I played in several very close games.
Now, some people who may have known me in high school are probably laughing right now and saying, “What Mike meant to say is that when he was in high school, he came very close to playing in some games.” -
Neosho council approves new golf cart contract
The purchase of golf carts was back on the agenda this week for the Neosho City Council. City Attorney Steve Hays said there were errors in the financing terms that were part of a bid approved last month for the purchase of 55 gas-powered carts from E-Z-Go for $144,195, so the purchase of a new fleet was rebid.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
Ga Girl Fights Off Kidnapper at Walmart
Nevada Highway Patrol, City Settle Beating Case
Homs Bombardment Continues, Global Outcry Grows
Raw Video: Dog Rescued From Icy Colo. Water
Skip the Coffee Cup and Inhale Your Caffeine Fix
