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Minutes for SB161 - Committee on Government Efficiency
Short Title
Requiring legislative approval prior to any state agency seeking or implementing a public assistance program waiver or other authorization from the federal government that expands eligibility for any public assistance program or increases cost to the state.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 11, 2025
Chair Erickson opened the hearing on SB 161.
Staff provided an overview the bill. (Attachment 1)
Proponents:
Brian Sikma, Visiting Fellow, Opportunity Solutions Projects, testified in support of the bill. (Attachment 2) The bill is about restoring legislative control over major public assistance policy decisions. It ensures that any attempt to expand eligibility or increase costs in programs like Medicaid and food stamps must first be approved by the elected representatives of the people - not imposed unilaterally by unelected bureaucrats.
Gerard (Jerry) Michaud, President/CEO, Developmental Services of Northwest Kansas, Inc. (DSNWK) shared some insight on the IDD system and the critical need for legislative support for these essential community services in Kansas for people with IDD. (Attachment 3)
Matt Fletcher, Executive Director, InterHab, thanked the committee for the opportunity to share the multiple concerns of Kansas families and professionals who care for persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). (Attachment 4) Regarding several proposed changes to the IDD service network that the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services has announced. Mr. Fletcher provided proposed suggested amended language to SB 161 that would ensure improved outcomes regarding these concerns.
Written testimony in support of the bill:
Melisa Reeder, Director of Big Lakes CDDO Administrations (Attachment 5)
Rachel Neuman, Chief Operating Officer, COF Training Services (Attachment 6)
Cassandra Lofing, Case Management Director, Big Lakes Development Center, Inc. (Attachment 7)
Lori Feldkamp, President & CEO, Big Lakes Developmental Center, Inc. (Attachment 8)
Liz Holle, Deputy Operations Officer, Big Lakes Developental Center, Inc. (Attachment 9)
Opponent
April Holman, Executive Director, Alliance for Healthy Kansas, spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 10) The bill would impede the ability of state agencies to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities in a timely and efficient manner.
Heather Braum, Senior Policy Advisor, Kansas Action for Children, appeared in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 11) The bill would restrict changes to public assistance programs without legislative authority.
Sean Gatewood, on behalf of the KanCare Advocates Network, spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 12) The bill is a significant change in the process that has not been thoroughly vetted for its long-term impact and/or unintended consequences to not only the agencies, but to the people of Kansans they serve.
Mike Burgess, Director of Policy & Outreach, Disability Rights Center of Kansas, (DRC) appeared in opposition to the bill. (Attachment 13) The bill will have a negative impact on the ability of KDADS to amend Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) waivers in a timely manner. It will make an already difficult process even more difficult.
Karen Siebert, Advocacy & Public Policy Advisor, Harvesters - The Community Food Network, Kansas Food Bank, and Second Harvest Community Food Bank, spoke in opposition to the bill. (Attachment14) The bill will sow confusion and make Kansas government less responsive to the needs of its citizens.
Written testimony in opposition to the bill:
Christine Osterlund, Deputy Secretary of Agency Integration and Medicaid Director, KDHE (Attachment 15)
Brenda Bandy, Executive Director, Kansas Breastfeeding Coalition (Attachment 16)
Haley Kottler, Campaign Director, Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (Attachment17)
Lisse Regehr, CEO, Thrive Allen County & Thrive Kansas (Attachment 18)
Secretary Laura Howard, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (Attachment 19)
Dr. Carla Whiteside-Hicks, Director of Economic and Employment Services Department for Children and Families (Attachment 20)
Tanya Dorf Brunner, Executive Director, Oral Health Kansas (Attachment 21)
Molly Gotobed, Executive Director, Community Health Council of Wyandotte County (Attachment 22)
Tara Mays, Vice President State Legislative Affairs, Kansas Hospital Association (Attachment 23)
Chair Erickson closed the hearing on SB 161.
