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Read the Candidate Positions on Disability Issues!

The Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas (SILCK) and the Kansas Association of Centers for Independent living (KACIL) hosted a forum of candidates for state office on October 16 at the Topeka Capitol Plaza Hotel. 

Candidates for the Attorney General, Insurance Commissioner, and Secretary of State were invited. Candidate for Attorney General Chris Biggs (D) participated. His opponent Phil Kline (R) did not attend. Both Insurance Commissioner candidates participated, Jim Garner (D) and Sandy Praeger (R). Dave Haley (D) candidate for Secretary of State participated. His opponent, Ron Thornburg (R) did not attend.
Candidates for Governor responded in writing to questions from SILCK and KACIL. Their responses appear below.

1. Long Term Care services for all populations represents a significant portion of the state budget. When you add in school financing, it represents at least 85% of the budget. Given your priority for education funding, how will you as Governor protect essential services for people with disabilities and seniors and still present a balanced budget?

Sebelius: Establishing a stable, permanent funding formula for the long term care programs and the many home and community based programs is both responsible and practical. Many of the one-time funds currently used, like the Intergovernmental Transfer Fund, will not be around to sustain these budgets. I believe that we must work to ensure that funding for these budgets is not based on questionable funds that can vanish from one year to another.

Shallenburger: Essential services such as those for the disabled and seniors must be held harmless during this time of economic misfortune. Under my administration, the yearly scare tactics that threaten cuts to these services will end. Instead, we will send a strong message that inefficiencies and wasteful spending in Topeka will be identified and eliminated. I believe that there is enough waste in government that once eliminated will help assure that essential services are properly funded.
As State Treasurer, I reduced the taxpayer-funded portion of the budget by over 30%, while improving services. This was accomplished by ridding the agency of wasteful spending without sacrificing the service provided to Kansans. This cleaning out of government can and will be done in every agency under my administration.

2. Waiting lists for community-based services on all waivers are growing at a rapid rate to the point where NO services are available other than Nursing Homes. At the same time, the population in nursing facilities and other institutions are going down, yet their budgets are increasing. Would you promote legislation that would allow accessing services regardless of whether people choose community based or institutional services?

Sebelius: Home and Community Based Services provide many Kansans with an opportunity to receive the care they need while still maintaining normal ties with friends and family in their community. I support legislation that would allow accessing services regardless of whether people choose community based or institutional services.

Shallenburger: The most important thing to remember is that those in need of services should receive them. As Governor, I would be open to any legislation that accomplished this. We should also remember that community based services is a win-win situation. The state benefits because of the reduced taxpayer cost and most importantly, the individual benefits by receiving help in a more desirable fashion. 

3. Many trends are changing as the baby boomer generation ages. As you select your Cabinet, what assurances can you give us that the individuals you select will embody the principles of independent living, self-determination, and freedom to choose where they live and receive services?

Sebelius: As Governor, my administration will be a reflection of my principles and priorities. I have always fought to give the citizens of Kansas more options in making their decisions. When choosing those to serve within my Cabinet, I will insure that each and every individual shares that same commitment.

Shallenburger: I will appoint Cabinet Secretaries that will be advocates for the people, not advocates for their own agency. In this case, I will appoint a Cabinet Secretary who understands the challenges involved in disability and senior issues. As a way to assure this, I will seek the advice of organizations such as SILCK, when making this determination.

4. In order to identify solutions to the challenges we now face, how accessible will your office be to the disability and aging community? 

Sebelius: Effective leadership begins with listening. I have continually endeavored to make government more open to the needs of all Kansans. Only by creating and maintaining a dialogue can a state begin to be responsive to its citizens. Often, the aging and disabled communities have special needs that cannot be addressed through the normal course of government. I will ensure that these needs are heard and acted upon.

Shallenburger: Again, this in large part has to do with selecting Cabinet Secretaries that are advocates for the people. Personally, I will always take an interest in the issues facing disabled and senior citizens. I believe I have a track record from my time in the House of Representatives that backs this up. 

5. Many consumers want more control in managing their long-term care services (LTC). Consumers want the opportunity to make their own decisions about the LTC services they receive so they can maintain their dignity and maximize their independence and autonomy. Consumer direction ranges from the consumer making all decisions to an advocate or surrogate managing services for the consumer. How will your administration support consumer self-direction over their LTC services?

Sebelius: All people should have the same opportunities to make choices that affect their lives. Government regulations often unduly burden people's freedom to make those choices. Whenever feasible, individuals should have the opportunity to choose the course of their own care.

Shallenburger: This once again proves that maintaining individuality is an important part of this process. We should always remember that we're not dealing with numbers on a budget report, we're dealing with human lives. Thus, creating an atmosphere where dignity can be maintained is a priority. 

Additional information from other candidates who attended the State Candidate Forum

During the forum, Attorney General candidate Chris Biggs (D) stated that if elected, he would ensure strong enforcement of Kansas civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on disability: the Kansas Act Against Discrimination, Kansas Architectural Accessibility Act, and recently passed Visitability in housing legislation [HB 2020]. He said he would work for a comprehensive and effective Olmstead plan in Kansas to ensure people with disabilities have an option to receive integrated, community based services. He would also review existing guardianship laws, and monitor the telemarketing no-call list.

Insurance Commissioner candidate Sandy Praeger (R) said that if elected, she would promote change to expand the definition of durable medical equipment covered by insurance; have a statewide dialogue on how to make aging in place in one's home and community a reality; and said a state tax credit is needed to make long term care insurance affordable for all people. Praeger cited her many years of advocacy for people with disabilities while a State Senator: leading passage of the Working Healthy/Medicaid Buy-In program and mental health parity, funding for SRS home and community based services, and other issues brought to the legislature by the SILCK.

Jim Garner (D) the other candidate for Insurance Commissioner, said he also supported a tax credit to make long term care insurance more affordable; a Medicare benefit that includes prescription drugs; and the importance of voting for a candidate who does not accept donations from the insurance industry. He supports denying the take over of Blue Cross/Blue Shield by Anthem. Garner cited his time in the legislature as minority leader of the House, support for the Physical Disability waiver, Visitability and other disability issues; his advocacy for full mental health parity and a prescription drug program in Kansas. Both candidates for Insurance Commissioner stated they would continue to work for issues of importance to people with disabilities.

Candidate for Secretary of State David Haley (D) explained his goals of decreasing waste in the Sec. of State's office by reducing the budget by 10%, improve voter registration and voting; ensure voting sites are accessible for people with disabilities and using new technology that will make it easier for people to vote and insure an accurate count. He cited his work as a State Senator as an advocate for social and economic justice; enhance penalties for hate crimes, curb racial profiling and enact Individual Development Accounts.