Guest column

  One of the legislature’s most heated debates this session continues to revolve around a controversial plan to privatize the state’s Medicaid system. The proposal, introduced by Gov. Sam Brownback in November, would create a new administrating system called “KanCare.” 

   Changing over to a privately operated managed care system that uses for-profit corporations would be the largest transaction in state history, affecting the way 350,000 Kansans receive needed medical care. 

   Most concerning is how this change to privatized care would affect thousands of developmentally disabled (or “DD”) recipients. Last month, a number of disability advocate organizations openly spoke out against the governor’s plan, including Kansas City’s Independent Living Center, Lawrence’s Cottonwood Inc. and the Sedgwick County Developmental Disability Organization. These organizations and others say they worry that the long-term needs or their clients may not be appropriately met by a private program, and that the new system won’t address the nearly 5,000 developmentally disabled Kansans still waiting to receive in-home care. 

   Every year, Medicaid costs continue to grow approximately 7.5 percent. We all agree that something needs to be done. So far, legislators have not been asked for their input. 

   Before any major changes are made, legislators should be given adequate time to look at all the options available. As the “voice of the people,” we should be given ample opportunity to find a solution that will result in cost savings while also protecting the livelihood of our elderly and disabled neighbors. 

   This process must proceed slowly and thoughtfully. Moving to a managed care system without scrutinizing all of our options could end up being more “penny wise but pound foolish.”

   This guest column also was attributed to State Sen. Oletha Faust-Goudeau, D-Wichita.