7/31/2010
By CHRIS HUNTER | Salina Journal

Martin Kennedy, secretary for the Kansas Department of Aging, said at a meeting and teleconference at the Saline County Commission on Aging on Friday that the department is preparing two budgets for 2012.

One budget would keep funding levels stable, while the other would include a cut of 5 percent, or $20 million.

"For next year, our biggest concern is lack of available funding for home- and community-based services for people who are eligible for nursing homes but who would like to remain at home," Kennedy said. "We have high-quality services for those people in their homes to prevent them from going into nursing homes, but with the state budget crunch being what it is, the state hasn't been able to fund it the way it needs to be funded."

Payments from Medicare were reduced for nursing facilities by 10 percent in 2010, which resulted in a $2.5 million shortfall. The state's budget for nursing facilies was $114,116,800 in 2010.

With the addition of the temporary 1-cent sales tax increase passed by the Legislature, the rate is supposed to be restored in 2011, but Kennedy still expects a possible shortfall of between $5 million and $6 million.

Kennedy said the lack of funding could force people into nursing homes, which would be more expensive for the state.

"It was putting a lot of pressure on nursing homes in rural and western parts of the state," Kennedy said. "Physicians and hospitals were also having troubles providing services to the older population. It was a big step forward that helped a lot."

Susan Sprague, long-term care supervisor with North-Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging, asked Kennedy about possible cuts to a senior care program, but Kennedy was not optimistic.

"It seems to do well when the economy is good," Kennedy said. "I don't see many opportunities for growth, but we may see more waiting lists for senior care help."

But Kennedy said the program, which helps the elderly in their homes, will get a boost from increased nutrition funds.

Kennedy credits the sales tax increase with sparing cuts to a nutrition program, which includes the popular program Meals on Wheels, which did see cuts at the state level last year.

"The federal government stepped in and provided funding through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act last year," Kennedy said. "This year, the Kansas Legislature fully funded it because it is seen as a high priority."

Kennedy said he expects another tight year but hopes the economy will help out.

"Because of the sales tax increase, we didn't have to make the cuts last year," Kennedy said. "Hopefully. with the economy bouncing back, we won't have to make those cuts next year, but we have to be prepared."

nReporter Chris Hunter can be reached at 822-1422 or by e-mail at chunter@salina.com.

---

Discuss This Story:

---