By Hutchinson Tribune Staff
Sharon Hixson of Hutchinson joined 64 other delegates in Topeka on Oct. 7 and 8 as the Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (KSHL) overwhelmingly approved five resolutions on issues affecting older Kansans. Hixson represents Reno County in Planning and Service Area 10.
Meeting on the floor of the Kansas House of Representatives, delegates heard testimony from professionals, debated and amended the resolutions in committee and then voted as a full body.
The resolutions urge the Kansas Legislature to:
- Continue and increase support for community-based transportation, including micro-transit in rural, remote and metropolitan areas, with local control and coordination by the Kansas Department of Transportation.
- Increase funding for the Senior Care Act and the Frail/Elderly Waiver so seniors can keep receiving care at home.
- Support Medicaid expansion and raise KanCare provider reimbursement rates.
- Increase the monthly amount nursing facility residents on Medicaid are allowed to keep for personal expenses to $72.74, the national average, and fund Area Agencies on Aging to help seniors complete Medicaid applications.
- Ensure access to the polls, early voting and mail-in ballots to protect senior voting rights and oppose efforts that would make it harder for seniors to vote.
The resolutions are now being shared with legislators, senior centers and senior organizations statewide. After the Nov. 3 election, the KSHL will reach out to newly elected legislators, and delegates will visit every legislative office in Topeka in early January. Testimony will begin once the new Legislature is sworn in.
The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature is a statewide advocacy body made up of delegates who advocate for seniors in Kansas.