Advocacy in Action (September 2024): KABC Testifies at the Bob Bethell KanCare Oversight Committee

Libby Hastings • October 1, 2024

On Monday, August 26th, Libby Hastings, Communication and Public Relations Coordinator, had the honor of presenting testimony on behalf of KABC to the Robert G. Bethell Joint Committee on Home & Community Based Services & KanCare Oversight Committee. Our goal was clear: to advocate for the reinstatement of the "Explore Your Options" (EYO) resource guide, a vital tool for older Kansans and their caregivers.

In recent months, our work with the Douglas County Senior Resource Directory has underscored the critical need for a comprehensive resource guide. Since launching the directory, we've seen firsthand how essential it is for older adults to have access to reliable, up-to-date information about the services and resources available to them. The response to our directory has been overwhelmingly positive, with individuals and families expressing their appreciation for a resource that helps them navigate the complexities of long-term care. 


The importance of the EYO guide was highlighted in the Final Report of the Kansas Senior Care Task Force to the 2023 Kansas Legislature. A key recommendation from the Task Force was for the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to reinstitute the EYO guide, which would provide a centralized, accessible source of information for older adults across the state. The guide would be published online and in print, ensuring that those without internet access can still benefit from this essential resource.


The need for such a guide is urgent. As one of the working groups from the Kansas Senior Care Task Force noted, it is critical for older adults and caregivers to know where to access service information and resources when the need for long-term supports and services arises. The lack of access to reliable, accurate information can lead to frustration, confusion, and potentially harmful outcomes for seniors and their families. 


While some areas of the state, like Johnson County and Central Plains, have found ways to create their own versions of the EYO guide, most counties do not have the resources or capacity to do so without state assistance. That’s why we’re asking this committee to encourage and support KDADS in bringing back the EYO guide. By doing so, we can ensure that all older Kansans, regardless of where they live, have the information they need to make informed decisions about their care. 

Advocacy in Action (September 2025): KABC Testifies on FY26 Budgets

By Libby Hastings • September 3, 2025
Dan Goodman, KABC Executive Director, recently provided testimony to both the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) during their Fiscal Year 2026 budget hearings. Our message was clear: Kansas must invest in systems that protect the dignity, independence, and well-being of older Kansans. Key Recommendations from KABC Protect Access to In-Home Services • Projected shortfalls of $27M in FY26 and $70M in FY27 threaten the HCBS Frail Elderly Waiver. • Without funding, older Kansans may face a waitlist for services, leading to premature nursing home placement. Strengthen Care Coordination • Frail Elderly, Physically Disabled, and Brain Injury waiver recipients currently lack dedicated case management. • KABC urged implementation of the long-overdue $20M Community Care Coordination Service. Improve Oversight & Resident Protections (KDADS) • Surveyor vacancies are near 50%, delaying inspections and weakening resident protections. • We called for wage increases and innovative staffing models to close gaps in oversight. Increase the Personal Needs Allowance • Nursing home residents in Kansas receive only $62/month for personal expenses. • KABC supports raising this allowance—closer to the $70 national average—and tying it to cost-of-living adjustments. Continue the Statewide Senior Resource Guide (KDADS) • KABC requested $150,000 to maintain and distribute the statewide guide annually. • This investment ensures older Kansans have access to accurate, trusted information on care and services. Why It Matters By 2030, more than 20% of Kansans will be age 65 or older. Budget decisions made today will directly impact whether older Kansans can age with dignity, safety, and independence. Read KABC’s full testimonies to KDADS here and KDHE here .

Facility #2, 3, 4, and 5, Interview with Steve

September 2, 2025
Steve shares his journey through multiple long-term care facilities after a major surgery, describing repeated medication errors, poor food quality, untrained staff, and systemic neglect. His story highlights how understaffing, weak oversight, and profit-driven management leave residents without advocacy and dignity.