Senate Ways and Means Sub Committee on
Social and Rehabilitation Services
Senator Steve Morris, Chair
February 10th, 2003
Thank you for the opportunity to present to you today regarding the budget for Social and Rehabilitation Services. I am Gina McDonald and I work for the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent Living (KACIL). We are also members of the “Big Tent” Coalition and support their goals to increase revenue to adequately fund needed social services.
KACIL represents the 13 Centers for Independent Living (CIL’s) around the state. Our mission is to coordinate efforts within Kansas, the United States, and internationally to the extent that these efforts will further independent living for all. KACIL will advocate for the civil rights of Kansans with disabilities, regardless of age.
KACIL supports the Governor’s proposed budget which reinstates 3/4 of the cuts made to the budget starting in January. We recognize the fiscal situation this state is in at this time and appreciate Governor Sebelius’ attempt to fund minimal programs.
We ask that you recognize that even if that budget should be passed, the CIL’s had a rate reduction of 2.5% last year. The waiting lists for Home and Community Based Services for people with physical disabilities are averaging six months or higher and that is not considering the allotments put into place in January which virtually halted any access to the waiting list.
Because the allotments lowered the protected income level for people using waiver services, they will have to spend an additional $71.00 per month in order to maintain services. That may not sound so terrible, but that leaves them with a whopping $645.00 per month for rent, utilities, food and transportation. I wonder if any of us could live on that.
Please support the Governor’s budget including leaving level of care scores, or the score which makes you eligible for services at 26. The more you raise those scores, the higher the cost will be to local communities because the needs will not go away, they will just have to go to emergency rooms and other local resources. With the hit that cities and counties have taken in the budget already, I’m not sure they will be prepared to meet those added costs.
KACIL also asks
for your support of the SILCK legislation Shannon Jones will discuss.
KACIL asks that
you consider looking at allowing dollars to follow the individual from
institutions to the community.
This concept is based on the Olmstead decision by the Supreme Court which says that services should be paid for in the most integrated setting. If people with disabilities who are in facilities can benefit from and want to receive services in the community, they should have the option of moving to the community.
Currently there is about a six month waiting list for home and community based services. Even though she has restored cuts made in the SRS budget, the Governor’s ’04 budget for HCBS has no new dollars to decrease the size of the waiting list. So we can anticipate it increasing substantially.
There is no waiting list for institutional services. If you are in an institution, the state is paying for your care already, on an average, at a greater rate than what would be required for services in the community.
This concept would allow people to move from a Nursing Facility to the community and the dollars would follow them without having to wait on a waiting list.
For a disabled person, it is difficult enough to become independent of the system while living in the community. Public policies such as the Americans with Disabilities Act, Medicaid Buy In and HCBS Waivers have made it easier.
It is impossible to become independent from a Nursing Facility Bed. Please study the benefits of the Dollar Following the Individual to free people who want to move home.
Over a year ago, the State of Kansas was awarded a Real Choice Systems Change grant from Health and Human Services for $1.4 million dollars. The purpose of the grant is to redesign long term care service delivery system. The grant could address waiting list issues and design a better diversion program before entering a N.F. It should also address the implementation of the Dollar Following the Individual.
There are more proposals to encourage states to move money and people from institutions in President Bush’s proposed budget.
Please consider this option, which can be cost neutral, since you are already spending the money in institutions.
Both Texas and Missouri have passed similar laws.
We appreciate the opportunity to present to you today. I’d be happy to stand for questions.