Advocacy in Action (March 2025): KABC Stands Against Medicaid Cuts

Libby Hastings • February 25, 2025

KABC is raising the alarm over proposed federal cuts to Medicaid that could strip away as much as $2.5 trillion from the program. This is not just a budgetary adjustment—it is a direct threat to the well-being of thousands of older Kansans who rely on Medicaid for their long-term care needs.


Dan Goodman, Executive Director of KABC, spoke out against these proposed cuts, emphasizing the urgent need for Kansans to take action: “I have no sense that this will deter the Federal Administration from taking action on this program, but rather the hope is to illuminate this issue for those Kansans that are paying attention and bring about a more calibrated approach. We must get Kansans to think about what long-term care looks like for Older Kansans with lesser Medicaid funding. I’m here to urge you to protect Older Kansans, protect Medicaid.”


Goodman was invited to speak at the Kansas Statehouse in Topeka on Monday, February 24, 2025, to address the recent movement by Congressional leaders to cut federal Medicaid funding. The informal gaggle took place in the east wing of the ground level of the Kansas Statehouse and gained statewide media attention. Other speakers included April Holman, Executive Director of the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas; Rocky Nichols, Executive Director of the Disability Rights Center of Kansas; and Adrienne Olejnik, Vice President of Kansas Action for Children.


Medicaid: A Lifeline for Older Kansans


Most Kansans over 65 rely on Medicare for their healthcare needs, but it is Medicaid that ensures access to long-term care services, whether at home or in nursing facilities. For thousands of seniors in Kansas, Medicaid is the only option that allows them to age with dignity in their own homes, receiving essential support services.


However, the impact of these proposed federal cuts would be catastrophic. Kansas already suffers from a critical shortage of direct care workers, and nearly 85,000 Older Kansans live in areas with limited access to care. Slashing Medicaid funding will only deepen this crisis. Rural communities, where healthcare access is already strained, will be hit the hardest. Short-term savings from these cuts will be overshadowed by the long-term damage—weakening the home and long-term care infrastructure, driving more providers out of the workforce, and placing tens of thousands of Older Kansans at risk.


Who Will Care for Older Kansans?


More than half of Kansas nursing home residents depend on Medicaid to afford care, which costs an average of $7,700 per month for a semi-private room. These older adults have already depleted their assets before qualifying for Medicaid, leaving them with no other options. Many have no family to step in, and even when family is available, they may not have the ability to provide the level of care required.


Without Medicaid, who will care for them? And how will Kansas taxpayers fill the financial void left by the loss of federal funding? This is not just a question of policy—it is a question of morality and responsibility.


Take Action Now


We cannot afford to wait and see what happens. Kansans must act now. Contact your federal representatives (Find Your Members in the U.S. Congress | Congress.gov | Library of Congress) and tell them: Medicaid is not just another federal program to be gutted—it is a lifeline for older Kansans. Do not allow reckless budget cuts to dismantle a system that so many depend on.



Stand up. Speak out. Demand that Medicaid funding is protected before it is too late. The future of long-term care in Kansas depends on it. Protect older Kansans. Protect Medicaid.

KABC Testifies before the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature

By Libby Hastings • October 19, 2026
KABC Testifies before the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC) is urging state leaders to provide additional funding to eliminate the waitlist for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Frail Elderly (FE) Waiver, which helps older Kansans access the services they need to remain in their homes and communities. In testimony submitted to the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (KSHL) on October 6 th in Topeka, KABC Executive Director Dan Goodman emphasized the importance of preserving access to in-home care and preventing older adults from entering nursing facilities before they need that level of care. The FE waiver waitlist, implemented July 6, 2026, has already affected hundreds of older Kansans. Without additional funding, more people could face delays in receiving essential services, potentially accelerating health declines and increasing the likelihood of premature nursing home placement. KABC is recommending $31 million in additional funding for the FE waiver in fiscal year 2027 to address projected funding shortfalls and help eliminate the waitlist. Kansas Silver Haired Legislature Sets 2027 Priorities On October 7 and 8, 65 delegates representing regions across Kansas gathered on the floor of the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka for the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature's annual session. During the session, delegates approved five resolutions outlining their legislative priorities for 2027. The resolutions focus on supporting older Kansans' independence, financial security, access to care and participation in civic life. The five priorities are: Fund senior transportation Protect in-home care Increase funding for the FE waiver to help older Kansans receive care in their homes and communities. KABC supports this priority and is urging the state to add $31 million in funding for fiscal year 2027 to eliminate the FE waiver waitlist. Strengthen Medicaid Raise the Personal Needs Allowance Increase the Personal Needs Allowance for nursing home residents who receive Medicaid Protect senior voting rights These priorities address interconnected challenges facing older Kansans, from accessing transportation and affordable care to maintaining independence and financial security. The Importance of Care at Home The FE waiver was established to help older Kansans access community-based services that allow them to remain in their homes for as long as possible, delaying or avoiding the need for more costly institutional care. These services can make a significant difference in an older adult's ability to maintain independence, health and quality of life. When needed support is unavailable, however, individuals and families may have fewer options for managing care at home. Kansas already faces challenges in this area. According to the United Health Foundation's America's Health Rankings, Kansas ranks 47th in the nation for placing low-care residents in nursing facilities. KABC is concerned that limiting access to home- and community-based services could contribute to further premature institutionalization. The Cost of Delayed Access The potential impact of the waitlist is significant. According to KABC's testimony, the state faces a projected $31 million shortfall for the FE waiver in fiscal year 2027, putting access to critical in-home services at risk. Historical data also illustrate the potential scope of the problem. In 2003, a similar FE waiver waitlist affected approximately 20% of eligible participants. The Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) reports that 9,306 Kansans are currently eligible for the waiver. Applying that historical 20% figure to today's eligible population suggests that approximately 1,861 older Kansans could be affected in fiscal year 2027. While this estimate is based on a historical comparison, it underscores the potential consequences of insufficient funding. Investing in Older Kansans  The goal is to help older Kansans receive the services they need when they need them, rather than risk declining health or entering institutional care because community-based options are unavailable. As Dan Goodman emphasized in his testimony, investing in home- and community-based services offers an opportunity to support older adults' independence while potentially avoiding the greater costs associated with premature institutionalization. The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature's 2027 priorities provide a framework for addressing the needs of older Kansans across the state. KABC's support for increased FE waiver funding aligns with the Legislature's call to protect in-home care and ensure older adults have meaningful choices about where and how they receive care. KABC will continue advocating for policies and resources that protect older Kansans' access to quality long-term care, wherever they call home.

2026 Caregiver Training and Membership Meeting

By Libby Hastings • September 21, 2026
On Thursday, September 10th, KABC hosted our annual caregiver training, with speaker Jessica Clossen, and membership meeting. Over 30 people attended!  The meeting began with a brief introduction to KABC by Libby Hastings, Communications and PR coordinator. Afterward, Karen Weber, KABC Board Vice President, led the membership meeting. During the membership and business meeting, Karen Weber (Vice President), Dave Ranney (Secretary), Rachel Stahle, Dustin Baker, and Deborah Merrill were unanimously voted to retain their current board positions. During the caregiver training portion, Navigation Memory Care: Knowing When It Is Time & How To Choose, Jessica Clossen discussed important tips for navigating memory care, including: The hidden cost of waiting too long and caregiver burnout Defining memory care Memory care transition guidance What to look for in a memory care setting Staffing and training Culture and activities Dining and daily routines We are so incredibly thankful to Jessica for sharing her time and expertize with our attendees. If you'd like to connect with Jessica Clossen, email her at jclossen@dementia-care-consulting.com or call 913-585-5178 . To view the recording of our 2026 caregiver training and membership meeting, please visit our YouTube page here. A copy of the presentation slides is available here .