OFFICE OF SEN. MORAN

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) – chairman of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies (CJS) – Tuesday applauded the Senate’s passage of the First Step Act, S.3649, of which he is an original cosponsor, to reduce recidivism, promote public safety and improve fairness in the sentencing of federal crimes.

“The First Step Act is a remarkable bipartisan achievement,” said Sen. Moran. “Supported by the president, a supermajority of the United States Senate, and law enforcement and advocacy groups from across the political spectrum, this legislation will allow non-violent offenders to serve time that fits their crime and then, importantly, provide them the opportunity to re-emerge as productive members of society. This legislation is an important first step in promoting a fair and effective criminal justice system, and as chairman of the CJS Appropriations Subcommittee, I will work to make certain law enforcement has the tools it needs to remain tough on crime and provide former prisoners a second chance at life.”

Included in the First Step Act is reauthorization of the Second Chance Act, which includes grant programs for drug rehabilitation, vocational training, mentoring, and other reentry and recidivism reduction initiatives. Sen. Moran’s CJS Appropriations Subcommittee overwhelmingly voted to fund the Second Chance Act’s grant programs at $90 million for FY19.

This comprehensive package aims to reduce crime by helping low-risk inmates prepare to successfully rejoin society through participation in proven recidivism reduction and professional development programs. It recalibrates certain mandatory minimum sentences, grants greater discretion for judges in the sentencing of low-level, nonviolent drug crimes and clarifies congressional intent on sentencing enhancements for certain crimes involving firearms. It also preserves the maximum potential sentences for violent and career criminals. The legislation allows petitions for retroactive application of the Fair Sentencing Act to be considered on an individual basis to reduce sentence disparities between crack and powder cocaine offenses.

Under this legislation, savings generated by the reforms would automatically be reinvested into law enforcement programs to further reduce crime and improve community safety.

Items to note:

• Sen. Moran sponsored the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act of 2017 earlier this Congress.
• The First Step Act is backed by a number of law enforcement groups, 172 former federal prosecutors, and sheriffs from Kansas and 34 states across the country. The National Governors Association, which represents the governors of all 50 states, praised the bill, and a broad coalition of conservative and progressive groups, along with a host of business leaders and faith-based organizations, also support the First Step Act.

KDHE

TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) announced Tuesday that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) approved the state’s 1115 waiver extension application. The 1115 waiver grants the state of Kansas the authority to operate KanCare, the state’s managed care program.

“I want to thank Administrator Seema Verma and the rest of the Trump administration for approving our 1115 wavier extension,” said Governor Jeff Colyer, M.D. “With the extension, our state can continue to be innovative in the way we address the health care needs of Kansans.”

“I want to congratulate Governor Colyer and his team for their hard work and commitment to serving Kansans,” said CMS Administrator Seema Verma. “The renewal of KanCare will strengthen their program by expanding access to substance use disorder treatment and other supportive services and ensure that this program will continue to deliver value to their state.”

The approved Kansas 1115 waiver extension application included the state requesting authority to implement a supported employment pilot for individuals with disabilities; a waiver of the 15-day monthly maximum on Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Institute for Mental Disease (IMD) utilization for members ages 21-64; and request to extend the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment (DSRIP) program until an alternative payment model (APM) model will be in place. To gain CMS approval of the 1115 wavier extension the state also had to demonstrate that the federal expenditures were going to be less with the proposed waiver versus operating a program without a waiver.

“It was a collaborative effort and I couldn’t be prouder of the state Medicaid staff that worked on this effort,” said State Medicaid Director Jon Hamdorf. “The CMS team led by Deputy Administrator Mary Mayhew was fantastic and the assistance from our partners at Navigant Healthcare and Optumas, our actuary firm, were instrumental in our success in getting the waiver extension approved.”

“We want to thank CMS for their partnership as we seek to be innovative in finding ways to create better access,” said KDHE Secretary Jeff Andersen. “This approval will make it easier for Kansans to receive the necessary care to stay healthy.”

In the original 1115 waiver extension application, the state also requested authority to implement a community engagement/work requirements program and a new community service coordination program. However, these programs are not going to be implemented in January due to direction given by the legislature through a budgetary proviso. For these programs to be implemented, the state would need to amend the currently approved waiver to negotiate the terms and conditions of those programs.

The approved version of the 1115 waiver extension will be available shortly on the KanCare website at: www.kancare.ks.gov