TOPEKA (KSNT) — Kansans are sending a strong message to state lawmakers ahead of next year’s legislative session.
State officials and members of the public took the opportunity to share their concerns with a group of Kansas lawmakers during this week’s KanCare Oversight Committee meeting. More than 100 people packed into the committee room on July 15 and they all shared a similar message: Prioritize state funding for disability services and Medicaid.
Several members of the public shared personal stories and experiences about how Kansas services have helped them overcome their disabilities. They emphasized the need for the legislature to work on reducing the waitlist for these services.
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Thousands of Kansans are on a waitlist for an Intellectual Disability Waver currently. Other waivers such as the Frail Elderly Waiver and the Brain Injury Waiver are at risk of placing applicants on a waitlist if Kansas lawmakers don’t approve additional funding soon.
Janet Williams, CEO of Minds Matter, spoke with 27 News to emphasize the importance of keeping people off waitlists.
“When people start a waiting list, we start talking about numbers and they’re no longer people,” Williams said. “It’s 10, it’s 20, it’s 50. Today, there was a room full of very emotional people talking about their stories and saying we’re all different, we all have paid taxes, we all need these services, and we find ourselves in really challenging circumstances and we need Medicaid.”
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