By Bryan Thompson, Kansas Public Radio
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-982476.mp3
OVERLAND PARK, Ks. – The last in a series of public forums on how to reform Medicaid in Kansas drew more than 300 people to the Overland Park Convention Center yesterday. As Kansas Public Radio's Bryan Thompson reports, Kansas Governor Brownback has said he wants to find ways to improve care for Medicaid clients while saving money over the long term.
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Lt. Governor Jeff Colyer, who was appointed by Brownback to oversee the effort, says one way to reach those goals is by providing more effective treatment to people with severe mental illness, so they don't go back into the state hospital.
"If we can stop those readmissions for those that have schitzophrenia, that if we can make sure that they have better care, they're going ot be able to function better in the outside world as both a quality and a cost that are both in better shape," said Lt. Colyer.
Laura Kelly, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, agrees with that goal, but said it's going to require more money initially.
"If indeed this administration is serious about reforming medicaid so that it actually provides better care for less money, we'll have to deal with the realities of investing in a system that can do just that," Kelly said.
Kansans have until Friday, August 19, to submit ideas about reforming Medicaid in the state.
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