May 2, 2025

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The Latest News

Trump Administration Releases FY 2026 Proposed Budget Request

Today, President Trump released his proposed budget request for Fiscal Year (FY) 2026. The President's proposed budget is a blueprint, representing the Administration’s wish list and is typically viewed as symbolic. It contains legislative proposals Congress may or may not take up. It also includes administrative proposals which government agencies, such as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), may implement without legislation using their administrative authority.

This is separate from the budget reconciliation process, which allows Congress to advance legislative priorities that are tied to taxes and spending. The reconciliation process is currently underway, and we continue to urge you to contact your Republican lawmakers about protecting Medicaid, especially provider taxes.

The President's FY26 budget proposal may inform the federal budget debate later this year. The federal government is currently funded through September 30, 2025, when Congress must pass a new budget or extend current government funding, which it has often done through a continuing resolution.

Of note, the President's FY26 Budget Proposal:

Decreases HHS discretionary spending by 26 percent, from $127 billion in FY25 to $93.8 billion in FY26.
Gears most cuts toward the National Institutes of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Includes a $675 million cut to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) program management. The Administration says the cuts will have no impact on benefits to Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries but are focused on eliminating DEI activities, health equity-focused activities, and Inflation Reduction Act-related outreach and education activities.
Includes new investments as part of the President’s Make America Healthy Again initiative.
Increases funding for health care services tailored to American veterans’ needs, both at Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and in the community. Veterans who qualify for access to care with local community providers would be empowered to make the choice to see them, rather than having to drive hours to access the nearest VA facility in some cases.

The President’s budget released today is largely consistent with recent announcements from HHS about restricting the agency. We have yet to see HHS’ more detailed budget proposal. Earlier this week, we informed you of a leaked version of the draft HHS budget that has yet to be confirmed. We will continue to monitor ongoing developments.

HCBS Background Check Policy & FAQs

The new HCBS Background Check Policy (E2025-033) and FAQ sheet are now available on the KDADS website. This policy outlines the processes and procedures for conducting HCBS background checks. It also defines the procedures for HCBS providers offering provisional employment and details the flexibilities permitted for Self-Directing HCBS waiver participants regarding HCBS background checks.

Please contact KDADS.HCBS-KS@ks.gov with any questions.

HCBS Provider Expansion Grants UPDATES

From KDADS | April 30, 2025

Questions and Answers will be posted by May 5, 2025.

Submit questions to KDADS.HCBS-KS@ks.gov

Application due date has been extended to May 12, 2025, no later than 5 pm CST.
Application language has been updated. The application can be found on page 24 of the following link: HCBS Provider Expansion Grants FY26.

The original application included a 3^rd track in error. The corrected tracks are below:
Track 1: Grants for Existing or New HCBS providers: For existing providers to fund capacity-building activities for organizations that want to expand their existing services to reach more people, or develop, obtain appropriate licensure, and enroll with KDADS to deliver a new HCBS waiver service. For new HCBS providers to fund the organizational needs to become an enrolled HCBS provider in Kansas.
Track 2: HCBS Settings Rule Compliance Grants: To assist existing HCBS providers in making targeted modifications that enhance participant autonomy, independence, choice, privacy, integration, and inclusion in compliance with the HCBS Settings Final Rule.

Please send any questions you may have to KDADS.HCBS-KS@ks.gov

Updates made to Terminal Illness Certification Letters

The message below was sent out to Nursing Facilities in Kansas on 05/02/2025.

Hello from the KDADS CARE Team!

We’re excited to share that we’ve recently updated the Terminal Illness Certification letters that are sent to Nursing facilities after the KDADS CARE team receives, reviews, and approves an individual’s terminal illness certification and/or recertification request. These updated letters now include clearer next steps and align even more closely with the CARE Manual –making the process smoother and easier to follow!

Quick Reminder

Once your resident’s Terminal Illness Certification letter has been issued, please make sure to:

Give a copy to the resident; and
Keep a copy in the resident’s medical record.

This letter also serves as proof of PASRR. If the letter isn’t in the resident’s file (or updated for recertification, when applicable), your facility could be considered non-compliant with the State of Kansas requirements –so keeping it on file is a must!

If you have any questions about the Terminal Illness process, please contact KDADS.CARE@ks.gov.

AHCA/NCAL Provider Survey: Now Open

AHCA/NCAL is asking providers (SNF, AL, ID/DD) to complete a 10-minute survey to better understand how issues in Washington would impact your facility(ies). Respondents will be asked about several topics, including Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, workforce, and financials, among others. You may download a copy of the questionnaire if you wish to gather the necessary information before filling it out online.

Information from this survey will help AHCA/NCAL address questions from policymakers and advocate for meaningful resources and policies. Thank you for your assistance. Please complete the survey by end of day 7:00pm Central on Friday, May 9.

COMPLETE THE SURVEY

HCS Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Study - Deadline Extension

The deadline for the 2025 Nursing Home Salary & Benefits Study has been extended to May 28^th. The national study is conducted by Hospital & Healthcare Compensation Service (HCS) and supported by the American Health Care Association (AHCA).

There is no cost to participate in the study. The reduced participant rate is $200, versus the $400 nonparticipant rate. Questionnaires can be downloaded at: www.hhcsinc.com.

The study covers salaries, bonus data, and hourly rates for over 100 positions. Job data is reported regionally by state, CBSA, regionally by profit type, unit size, and revenue size. It also includes 19 fringe benefits, as well as staffing metrics/pay policy data. Nationally known, HCS reports are recognized as the standard for reliable, comprehensive, and affordable compensation data for healthcare. Contact Rich Cioffe at RJCioffe@hhcsinc.com, (201) 405-0075, ext. 10 with any questions.

MONDAY! Webinar: Building a Practical Preparedness Plan for Assisted Living

5/5/25 - 10:30AM - 12:00PM

Click here for more details.

AHCA/NCAL’s Future Leaders Nominee Request

I am writing to encourage you to nominate one member from your team to participate in AHCA/NCAL’s Future Leaders, an annual program to enhance long term care leaders to be stronger contributors in the state affiliates and AHCA/NCAL. This professional training program begins September 16 – 18, 2025 with a symposium in Washington, DC. Each state may nominate only one person. The final selection for the representative from Kansas will be made by the KHCA Board of Directors. READ MORE

Providers Win Higher Rate Add-Ons For Individuals With Behavioral Health Needs

McKnight’s Long-Term Care News (4/30, Marselas) reports that "providers in 10 states have in recent months won new or significantly higher rate add-ons for patients with behavioral health needs, are close to securing them from lawmakers, or have permission to launch new state-funded pilots to improve care for such patients." Some of these "wins have come through a partnership between Behavioral Health Solutions, a mental health provider group; state associations; and the American Health Care Association." Utah Health Care Association President Allison Spangler said, "In Utah, the add-on rates for behaviorally complex residents have been stuck ‘for some time’ ... for residents with an intellectual disability diagnosis and behavioral challenges," noting that, "chief among them is the need for proper reimbursement." Kansas Health Care Association President Linda MowBray "said she is hopeful the [state’s] pilot...leads to more permanent payment reform."

‘Shortcuts’ will expose providers to more risk under new survey guidance: experts

Expansive changes to the nursing home survey process went into effect Monday, emphasizing new priorities for surveyors during on-site inspections and those reviewing staffing and other data prior to physical inspection. READ MORE

It’s All About the Food! Two Free Dietary Webinars Are Being Served for You…

Responsible Food Procurement for Changing Times Tuesday, May 13
Utilizing IDDSI’s Tools to Avoid Texture Modified Food Mistakes and Citations Tuesday, June 17

Click here to learn more.

Education Spotlight

Nurse Leadership Conference

June 25-26, 2025

Salina, KS

Members $219 | Non Members $269 until June 11th

This special Nurse Leadership Conference is an opportunity for nurses working in the Long-Term Care setting to strengthen their leadership and clinical skills. Building strong leaders through education is essential to promoting a better quality of life for our residents. Meet new vendor partners and spend time networking and getting to know others that are doing the same valuable work that you’re doing. A fun networking event is in place Downtown Salina. This will be a separate ticket event, so don’t forget to sign up. Let’s enjoy some time relaxing and learning from each other.

Click here to learn more.

Upcoming Education