Advocacy in Action (April 2025): Legislative Recap

April 2, 2025
As we move further into 2025, we want to share an update on our legislative advocacy efforts this session. KABC remains committed to championing policies that protect and support older adults and individuals in long-term care. Here’s a look at key legislative developments and where things stand:

Success for SB 88: Improved Ombudsman Training in Memory Care

KABC proudly provided testimony in favor of SB 88, a bill requiring the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman and regional ombudsmen to receive training in memory care. Led by the Alzheimer’s Association, this bill ensures that those advocating for residents in long-term care facilities have the specialized knowledge necessary to support individuals with Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia.


We are pleased to report that SB 88 successfully passed both the House and Senate and was signed into law by Governor Kelly in late March. This is a significant step forward in improving the quality of advocacy and care for Kansans affected by memory-related conditions.


Fighting Against Dangerous Fire Safety Rollbacks in SB 276

KABC prepared testimony in opposition to SB 276, a bill that proposed removing the State Fire Marshal from the Adult Care Home Licensure Act and the Providers of Disability Services Act. While we strongly support enhanced training for professionals in person-centered care and dementia response, this bill posed a serious threat to fire safety standards in long-term care facilities.


If passed, SB 276 would have eliminated minimum fire safety standards for 720 adult care homes and provider locations across Kansas—leaving 95% of the state unprotected. Additionally, it would have stripped the State Fire Marshal’s authority to inspect these facilities, recommend corrective actions, or levy fines for noncompliance. Such deregulation would put thousands of vulnerable residents at risk.


The hearing for SB 276 was ultimately canceled, a decision that reinforces the importance of maintaining essential safety protections for long-term care residents. We remain vigilant in opposing any future efforts to weaken these safeguards.


Advocating for a Statewide Senior Resource Directory

One of our key advocacy priorities this session has been securing funding for a statewide senior resource directory—a vital tool to connect older Kansans with essential services and support. We advocated that $190,000 be added to the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) budget for the resource guide. This funding was a recommendation from the Senior Care Legislative Task Force.


With strong support from Senator Kloos, the Senate included the funding recommendation in the budget, and it successfully advanced to the budget conference committee. Both the House and Senate have now included the funding in the final budget bill, which is currently awaiting review from Governor Kelly.


We will provide updates as soon as the budget is finalized.


Looking Ahead

KABC will continue monitoring legislative developments and advocating for policies that prioritize safety, care, and quality of life for older Kansans. Your support makes these advocacy efforts possible, and we encourage you to stay engaged.

Thank you for standing with us in the fight for better care. Stay tuned for more updates!

Dan Goodman testifies before legislative committee

KABC Testifies Before Bethell Committee

By Libby Hastings • October 16, 2025
On Monday, October 13th, Dan Goodman, Executive Director of Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC), delivered testimony before the Robert G. Bethell Joint Committee on Home & Community Based Services & KanCare Oversight. His remarks focused on the urgent need to strengthen Kansas’ long-term care system through sustainable funding and workforce investments. Goodman urged legislators to provide additional funding for the Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Frail Elderly waiver , noting projected shortfalls of $27 million in FY26 and $70 million in FY27. Without intervention, hundreds of older Kansans could face placement on a waitlist as early as this fall—delaying access to critical in-home services and increasing the risk of premature institutionalization. He also highlighted the need to support and stabilize the state’s long-term care workforce by exploring innovative approaches used in other states. For example, New Mexico’s Competitive Pay for Professionals program has helped attract and retain workers by linking higher wages to improved reimbursement rates and accountability measures. Goodman suggested Kansas consider similar models to strengthen its caregiving workforce and ensure providers can offer competitive pay. KABC remains committed to advocating for policies that promote quality care, protect older adults, and sustain a strong, well-supported caregiving system across Kansas. Read KABC’s full testimony here: View Testimony (PDF) Watch a full recording of the committee here: YouTube Link

Legislative Update: Nursing Home Oversight in Kansas

By Libby Hastings • October 6, 2025
On October 1st and 2nd, the 2025 Special Committee on Health and Social Services met, with the first day devoted to nursing home surveying and credentialing. The joint committee of both House and Senate members heard from the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS), the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, industry representatives from Kansas and out of state, administrators, and contractors. Notably absent were the voices of consumers, their family members, and facility staff , the people most affected by long-term care policy. The committee heard information about: Survey Backlogs and Staffing Challenges KDADS contracts with the federal government to inspect adult care homes for health and safety compliance. KDADS has struggled for years to meet federal requirements, due in large part to recruiting and retaining nurse surveyor positions. More than half of the 60 approved positions were vacant earlier this year. As a result, Kansas currently averages 19.9 months between nursing home inspections , far beyond the federal requirement of 12-15.9 months. With just over 300 federally licensed facilities in the state, timely inspections are critical to protecting residents. To address this, KDADS eliminated 15 vacant positions and raised starting pay: up to $60,000 for multidisciplinary surveyors and $67,000 for RNs . The agency is also considering incentives to encourage more RNs to work as surveyors. Kansas has one of the highest rates of the most serious deficiencies, known as Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) deficiencies, in the nation , citations for situations where resident health and safety are at serious risk. The committee explored the possibility of privatizing the survey process. Resident Rights at Risk Testimony also revealed troubling practices in some nursing homes, including charging residents $200–$300 per month in “pharmacy provider” or “medication set-up” fees if they choose to use an outside pharmacy. This practice undermines residents’ right to choose their own providers and unfairly penalizes private-pay residents, already shouldering an average of $7,000–$8,000 per month in nursing home costs. Involuntary Discharges and the Ombudsman’s Recommendation The Long-Term Care Ombudsman urged lawmakers to expand discharge reporting requirements. As she noted: “Federal regulations require a notice to be sent to our office for a facility-initiated transfer (involuntary discharge) in federally licensed nursing homes, but that is not the case for state licensed homes, assisted livings, home pluses and residential health care facilities. With the help of our office, we can often help resolve the reason for the discharge notice to prevent a resident transfer or support the resident to ensure a transition occurs safely.” The committee heard concerns from representatives of the nursing home industry and decided to delay making a recommendation on this issue, noting that additional information is needed. KABC has advocated for not only strengthening the reporting requirements but also giving residents of assisted living facilities the same right to appeal an involuntary discharge that nursing home residents enjoy. Raising the Personal Needs Allowance The Personal Needs Allowance (PNA) for nursing home residents is a monthly stipend that Medicaid recipients can use for personal expenses. In Kansas, the PNA is just $62 per month. Many residents express concern that this amount is insufficient to cover basic personal expenses such as haircuts or undergarments. An immediate increase to the allowance is needed, along with an ongoing adjustment to keep pace with rising costs. The Long-Term Care Ombudsman recommended a PNA increase to the national average of $72 with an additional annual Cost of Living Adjustment. KABC’s Position KABC will continue to advocate for: • Strong oversight of nursing homes. • Resident rights protections, including freedom of choice in providers. • Central inclusion of residents and staff voices in all policy discussions. You can watch the hearing on the Kansas Legislature’s YouTube channel here . KABC will continue to monitor these conversations closely as the 2026 legislative session approaches.