The Medicaid Extenders Act passed the House today on voice vote. This Bill includes temporary funding extension for the Money Follows the Person program where it was still operating at the end of the 115th Congress. The Senate will still need to pass this temporary funding, and survive a potential Presidential veto.

January 8, 2019
Washington, D.C. – Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) delivered the following remarks on the House Floor today during consideration of H.R. 259, Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my support for H.R. 259, the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019. This bill would extend for three months the successful Money Follows the Person (MFP) demonstration and the spousal impoverishment protections for Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) recipients. These two provisions have helped tens of thousands of people remain in the community with their families and friends while receiving the health care and other services they need."

"The MFP demonstration helps people transition from institutional settings to community-based settings so they can live in their homes and maintain their independence. All of this is possible because the demonstration provides them access to the services in their home that they would otherwise receive in an institution. This is a widely-used and successful program. Currently, 43 states and the District of Columbia participate. And it has helped over 75,000 people transition from institutions to the community. I want to thank my colleagues, Representative Dingell and Representative Guthrie, for their bipartisan efforts to protect this important program. I urge my colleagues to support extending this important program as the Energy and Commerce Committee works on a longer-term extension."

"I also support extending the protections against spousal impoverishment for beneficiaries receiving Home and Community Based Services. These protections ensure that people can receive the community-based services they need, and that their spouse has enough income and assets to meet their living expenses. This protection expired at the end of last year and it is vital that we act quickly to reauthorize it. Without this protection, individuals may lose access to important services or face unnecessary institutionalization. This is a terrible choice for families to make, and one that we can prevent by passing this bill. Similar to MFP, this extension will give the Committee time to work on a long-term solution."

"Mr. Speaker, both of these extensions were passed as a part of the Continuing Resolution in the Senate in December. Unfortunately, since then, a fight has ensued over appropriations funding. While it is my hope that the President will drop his demands for an ineffective and unnecessary wall, I do not want these programs to be collateral damage over that debate."

"Both of these programs have bipartisan support and must be extended without delay. I urge my colleagues to support H.R. 259, the Medicaid Extenders Act of 2019, and reserve the balance of my time."

KYEA is announcing that the delegate application deadline for the 2019 Kansas Youth Leadership Forum has been extended to February 8, 2019. This extension is being made in order to provide more youth with the opportunity to apply this year. So, do you know of a high school junior or senior with a disability who has leadership potential or interest? Then they still have time to apply for this year's KSYLF! And they won't want to miss out on this unique, life-changing opportunity!

The 2019 Kansas Youth Leadership Forum for Students with Disabilities will be held July 8-13, 2019 at Washburn University in Topeka. The KSYLF is an annual conference that is heading into its nineteenth year serving students with disabilities across the state. During the forum, delegates enjoy a week full of learning, fun, friends, and, most of all, a new sense of empowerment! They participate in a variety of sessions and activities, including large sessions with community speakers, small breakout sessions with their peers, as well as activities like a trip to the Capitol, mentor luncheon, recreation session, real life fair, barbecue, talent show, and a dance!

All students who are interested in attending the KSYLF must meet the following criteria:

• Reside in Kansas.
• Have a disability as defined with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
• Be in the 11th or 12th grade as of December 31, 2018. Please note: Students who are in an 18-21 transition program qualify to apply as well.
• Have demonstrated leadership potential or interest in school and the community. Remember, leadership comes in many forms!

There will be no cost for students who are selected to attend. All lodging, food, and accommodations are paid for through KSYLF funds. Accommodations such as personal care attendants, sign language interpreters, large print or Braille materials, and other accommodations will be provided for those delegates who need them.

Students must fill out an application that will be reviewed through a competitive selection process. About 20 - 25 delegates will be selected to attend. The delegate application deadline has been extended to February 8, 2019.

Delegate applications, as well as other information, can be downloaded from our website at www.kyea.org/upcomingksylf. More information can also be obtained by contacting Carrie Greenwood, Program Coordinator, at 785-215-6655 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Apply to be a KSYLF Delegate
Learn more about the Kansas Youth Leadership Forum

Topeka, Ks – A hotline has been set up for the Kansas Legislative Session that will officially start January 14th. Constituents having questions about the session may call 800-432-3924. Staff at the State Library of Kansas in Topeka administer the hotline. Typical questions correspond to the activities of the legislative session and might involve who is my legislator, how do I contact them, what is the bill number, how do I testify, what is the status of the bill?

Again, the Legislative Hotline Number is 800-432-3924.

Labette Center calls for Nominations for the 9th Annual Care and Compassion Award

Parsons, Kansas – Labette Center for Mental Health Services (LCMHS) is asking for nominations for the Ninth Annual Care and Compassion Awards. The Care and Compassion Awards recognize those in the Labette County community and/or LCMHS staff members who routinely go above and beyond to show care and compassion to others.

For the 2019 Care and Compassion Awards there will be a total of four awards presented at the annual banquet. Nominations can be submitted under four categories, with one recipient being chosen from each category by an independent judging panel. Categories include: Community Member, Labette Center Staff Member, Public Service (Law Enforcement, Medical, EMT, etc.), and Educational Provider. Nominees can be anyone in the Labette County community, who have gone above and beyond to show care and compassion to others. This person does not necessarily have to be someone who volunteers for a lot of different things, but someone who is extraordinarily caring and routinely demonstrates compassion towards others.

Community members and LCMHS staff may submit entries. All entries must have the name of the person being nominated, an address and if possible a phone number and/or an email address. It is also helpful to include the name and phone number for the person who is submitting the nomination, although it is not required. A detailed description of why the person is being nominated must also be included and should be at least 250 words in length. For more details on submitting an entry for the award, individuals can visit Labette Center's website at www.lcmhs.com, check us out on Facebook, by calling Monica Simpson at 620-421-3770 or 800-303-3770, or by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Be sure to like the Center's Facebook page to receive updates and information about the Care and Compassion Awards.

The deadline for entries is 5 pm February 22nd, 2019. Entries will then be reviewed, judged, and the award recipient will be officially announced during the annual Care and Compassion Awards Banquet. Entries can be mailed to, or dropped off at Labette Center for Mental Health Services, PO Box 258, 1730 Belmont, Parsons, KS 67357, attention: Monica Simpson. All mailed entries should have “CCAB” on the envelope. Entries may also be submitted through our website, www.lcmhs.com or our Facebook page.

For additional information contact:
Monica M. Simpson – Public Relations Specialist
Labette Center for Mental Health Services
PO Box 258
1730 Belmont
Parsons, KS 67357
620-421-3770
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.lcmhs.com