TOPEKA – The State of Kansas has received its report describing the suggestions, ideas and considerations from this summer’s series of Medicaid Public Forums.
“This report contains valuable information from Kansans who participated in this public input process,” Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. said. “I appreciate the time and willingness of Kansans from all over the state to contribute to this effort. The principles expressed in the public’s input, and reflected in this report, will help guide us as we reshape Medicaid in Kansas.”
Deloitte LLP, the consulting firm hired to facilitate the Medicaid public input process, collected the information and provided an outline of reform considerations in its report to Governor Sam Brownback’s Sub-Cabinet Working Group on Medicaid Reform. Led by Lt. Governor Colyer, the working group includes Aging Secretary Shawn Sullivan, SRS Secretary Rob Siedlecki, KDHE Secretary Robert Moser, M.D., Budget Director Steve Anderson and Health Finance Division Director Dr. Andy Allison.
“We were impressed by the great number of Kansans who took the opportunity to share with us what they’d like to see in the Medicaid program,” Dr. Moser said. “We heard repeatedly from stakeholders about the need to integrate care around the whole person, and this report brings that into sharp focus.”
The report contains ideas and suggestions from Medicaid consumers, advocates and providers. The working group held public forums in Topeka, Wichita, Dodge City and Overland Park. In addition to the public forums, Kansans also submitted their ideas for Medicaid reform online.
“This report contains a number of solid recommendations on ways the State of Kansas can provide health care to Medicaid recipients that focuses on the whole person, rather than just a single, isolated medical issue or condition, to improve their overall health and quality of life,” SRS Secretary Siedlecki said. “In particular it will help us find ways to further improve our services to the physically and developmentally disabled, and to individuals with traumatic brain injuries.”
Throughout the summer more than 1,700 Kansans participated in discussions on how to reform Kansas’ Medicaid system, generating more than 2,000 ideas and comments. Recommendations focused on the three segments of the Medicaid population: Children, Families and Pregnant Women, the Aged and the Disabled.
“We heard clearly from all stakeholders that it is important to continue the person-centered approach to care as we move ahead with Medicaid reform,” said Aging Secretary Sullivan.
The Medicaid Reform Public Input and Stakeholder Consultation process has been supported by the following organizations. The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Kansas Health Foundation, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Sunflower Foundation, and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund of Hutchinson.