Gov. Agrees To Modify Medicaid Plan

Amid pressure from advocates for the

developmentally disabled, Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback is going along

with a proposal to modify his plans for overhauling the $2.9

billion-a-year Medicaid program.

Brownback announced Wednesday that his administration is

endorsing a proposal for a one-year exclusion of long-term services

for the developmentally disabled from the Medicaid reforms. Those

services wouldn’t become part of the overhaul until 2014.

House Majority Leader Arlen Siegfreid, an Olathe Republican

who’s normally a Brownback ally, confirmed that he is pursuing the

proposal. His plan would allow pilot projects to test whether

private managed-care companies can provide adequate services.

Brownback’s administration plans to turn the management of

Medicaid over to three private companies, starting in 2013.

Medicaid covers medical services for the poor, needy and disabled.