Bethell committee sets Jan. meeting, orders wheelchair work group and presses for legislative oversight of federal rural health grant

The Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight scheduled a Jan. 23, 2026, meeting, voted to pursue a bill to amend its authorizing statute and approved a string of recommendations and requests for state agencies and the governor related to Medicaid, long-term care and home- and community-based services (HCBS).

The committee’s statutory overview began with Jenna Moyer, advisor in the Legislature’s statutes office, who reviewed the statute the committee enforces. Moyer told members the statute lists duties that include oversight of transfers from institutions to HCBS, study of cost and outcomes, access to KDHE medical assistance reports and the ability to introduce legislation. As Moyer summarized, subsection I “allows the committee to make recommendations and introduce legislation as it deems necessary.”

Why it matters: the committee’s actions will shape what the Legislature asks state agencies to study and report next year and will determine which short-term working groups the panel directs KDHE and KDADS to convene before the next session.

Key outcomes and discussion

Statute and schedule: Members debated meeting timing required by statute and voted to remove the phrase requiring the April meeting to occur "during the regular legislative session." The committee also approved a motion for KLRD to draft a senate bill to change KSA 39-7-106 (as referenced in the meeting packet) and set the committee’s January meeting for Jan. 23, 2026. Members cited scheduling conflicts in January and the Legislature’s calendar as the reason for clarifying the statutory language.

Wheelchairs and DME: After testimony about conflicting guidance on prior authorization for repairs to complex wheelchairs, the committee approved formation of a one-time complex wheelchair/DME work group. The group will report back to the committee in January 2026 with, at minimum, an analysis of the preventive-maintenance/safety-check process and the billing process for repairs and parts. Members urged KDHE to clarify KMAP guidance (referenced in testimony as KMAP General Bulletin 25204) that says prior authorization is not required for certain labor/repair codes; several legislators said providers and users need clearer policy.

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