Advocacy and Policy

Updates from the January 23rd Bob Bethell Joint Committee.

KABC’s January 2026 legislative update covers the compressed Kansas session, budget cuts, Medicaid risks, and priorities to protect older Kansans.

Kansas families face a fragmented dementia care system. Learn the policy gaps and solutions to support older adults and caregivers.

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

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.

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 .

On a July night in Massachusetts, flames tore through Gabriel House , an assisted living facility. The fire claimed the lives of nine residents and injured more than 30. Survivors described heartbreaking scenes: residents leaning out of windows, screaming for help as staff members fled. Many were rescued only by the bravery of firefighters, neighbors, and police officers who broke down doors and carried people to safety. Despite the building having a sprinkler system, fire drills had not been conducted, elevators were broken, and residents with mobility limitations were trapped. A field supervision with Massachusetts’s long-term care ombudsman pled with the state to investigate Gabriel House’s faulty elevator. He was met with excuse after excuse. In 2024, a fire at Brandon Woods senior living facility in Lawrence, Kansas forced the evacuation of 85 residents. Dense smoke filled the structure, and a passerby was the first to call 911 and begin evacuating residents. Mutual aid from surrounding counties was called in, and a Lawrence police officer was hospitalized for smoke inhalation. Thankfully, no residents were hurt — this time. These two incidents tell a clear story: fire safety inspections and emergency preparedness are not optional. They save lives. And yet, during the 2024-2025 legislative session, a bill was introduced in the Kansas Senate that would have eliminated minimum fire safety standards for 720 adult care homes and provider locations across the state. Senate Bill 276 (SB 276) would have removed the authority of the State Fire Marshal to inspect these facilities or enforce compliance , a move KABC calls a recipe for disaster. KABC strongly opposed SB 276 because it would have stripped the State Fire Marshal of its vital role in inspecting facilities, identifying hazards, and ensuring life safety codes are followed. While the bill allowed for the Kansas Department of Aging and Disability Services (KDADS) to contract with the Fire Marshal’s office, it did not require it, leaving oversight optional and dangerously unclear. Worse still, KDADS is already chronically understaffed. Its surveyors, who are not trained in fire safety, are struggling to meet existing inspection requirements, often with only half the staff needed. By contrast, State Fire Marshal inspectors are specifically trained to identify fire code violations and help facilities improve safety before tragedy strikes Fire and burns are the sixth leading cause of death for older adults in the U.S. In long-term care settings: Cooking is the leading cause of fires (72%) Faulty appliances and electrical systems follow closely Smoking remains the leading cause of death from fires Due to diligent oversight, Kansas has had only two fire-related deaths in adult care homes over the past decade . That record could be reversed if oversight is weakened. Families who entrust care homes with their loved ones do so with the belief that these facilities are regularly inspected, meet state and national safety codes, and are prepared for emergencies. At KABC, we believe every older adult deserves safe, dignified care and that includes protection from preventable tragedies like fires. As we approach the 2026 legislative session, we anticipate this dangerous proposal could return and we’ll be prepared.

Thanks to the dedicated advocacy of KABC and our coalition partners, Kansas has taken a major step forward in improving access to long-term care information. We’re thrilled to share that the Fiscal Year 2026 state budget includes $190,000 in dedicated funding for the creation of a comprehensive statewide senior resource directory , a direct result of our persistent efforts to ensure older adults and their families can navigate care options with confidence and clarity. Language in the approved budget bill reads: “That expenditures in an amount of not less than $190,000 shall be made by the above agency from such account during fiscal year 2026 to create a comprehensive statewide resource directory to provide essential information on long-term care options: And provided further, That such directory shall be accessible in an up-to-date online version as well as in a printable version.” This is a huge win for older Kansans, caregivers, and care professionals , and it builds directly on the success of local efforts like the Douglas County Senior Resource Directory . We know that when people have access to clear, trustworthy information, they are better equipped to make decisions that support dignity, independence, and well-being in aging. We are proud that our voice, and YOURS, was heard. From providing testimony, to meeting with legislators, to amplifying the call for this essential resource, this achievement belongs to all of us who believe that quality care begins with access to information. Next Steps: We’ll be working closely with the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services to support the development of this directory and ensure it meets the needs of Kansans statewide, both in print and online. T hank you for standing with us. This is advocacy in action and together, we’re making a difference.

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: