This is a busy time for behavioral health!
BUDGET HEARINGS: KMHC supports the behavioral health enhancements in the Governor’s Budget. Other top issues include advocating for continued support for the Certified Community Behavioral Health Center system, creating community Crisis Intervention Centers, funding 988, and ending the moratorium on voluntary admissions at the state hospitals – expanding access to community based services and Medicaid Expansion. The following committees hear public testimony then make recommendations to the House Appropriations Committee or Senate Ways and Means Committee to develop the overall budget.
To submit written testimony or to speak before the committee, contact the committee assistant at least 48 hours before the hearing and expect to turn in your testimony 24 hours before the hearing. Some committees require only an electronic copy of your testimony, others will ask you to deliver paper copies too. Remember, if you can't get testimony submitted, you can email the committee members directly.
When testifying for agency budgets, it is important to review the Governors Budget Report to see what is recommended for the agencies. See Governors Budget Report and Directors Budget Presentation. See page 20 of the directors presentation for behavioral health (see below), also page 22 for Medicaid Expansion.
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House Social Services Budget Committee web page link with members – HSSBC - meets daily at 3:30 p.m. 152-S – Contact Francisca.Hernandez@house.ks.gov or at 785-296-7660. The committee assistant needs to know if you will testify in person or by Webex 48 hours before the hearing. Email a pdf of your testimony by 1:00 p.m. the day before the hearing.
Larned State Hospital and Osawatomie State Hospital Budget Overview February 10, Public Hearing - February 10, Recommendations February 21
KDHE/Medicaid/Public Health – Overview February 7, Hearing February 8, Recommendations February 9
Dept. of Children and Families - Budget Overview February 14, Public Hearing February 15, Recommendations February 16
KDADS Budget Overview February 16, Public Hearing February 17, Recommendations February 21
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Senate Ways and Means Subcommittee on Human Services – time and location vary - web page link with members
Contact Donna.Fulkerson@senate.ks.gov or 785-296-7399. The committee assistance needs to know if you will testify in person or by Webex 48 hours before the hearing. Email a pdf of the testimony 24 hours before the hearing.
Larned State Hospital and Osawatomie State Hospital – Public Hearing Wednesday February 9 - 12 noon Room 548-S. Deliberations Thursday February 10 - 10:30 a.m. Room 548-S.
KDADS and DCF – beginning February 16 or 17. TBA.
