TOPEKA – Kansas Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. told member of the Kansas House Appropriations Committee this week a proposed bill would encourage the private sector to employ persons with disabilities.

“Study after study demonstrates that persons with disabilities who work have improved outcomes and reduce costs to the Medicaid system,” Dr. Colyer testified. “In nearly every public input meeting we held on Medicaid reform, we heard from stakeholders that Medicaid consumers desperately want opportunities to work.”

House Bill 2442 amends the competitive bidding process procedure for which state contracts and purchases be awarded. Under the bill, “certified businesses” would be awarded state contracts if their bids are no more than 10% higher than the most competitive bid. Businesses would be certified by the Kansas Department of Administration to ensure they meet the certain criteria, including doing business primarily in Kansas, employ at least 20% of full time employees in Kansas that are individuals with disabilities and contribute at least 70% of the total health insurance premium cost for all employees.

Colyer has led a working group with members of the Governor’s Cabinet to fundamentally reform the state’s Medicaid system to improve consumer outcomes while controlling costs of the program. One component of the Brownback Administration’s effort to reform Medicaid is to create “off-ramps” for long-term Medicaid consumers. Most long-term Medicaid consumers are individuals with disabilities.

Current state use law dictates that the state must use the State Use Law Catalogue for all appropriate purchases. The intent of State Use Law is to help provide employment for Kansans who are blind or severely disabled.

House Bill 2442 is currently in the House Appropriation Committee.