TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) Kansas legislators are struggling to get a handle on the rising costs of social services as a Senate committee works on a $14.1 billion state budget.
The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Tuesday discussed a spending plan for state government for the fiscal year that begins July 1.
One big issue is setting aside extra dollars to cover rising costs for social services, particularly Medicaid, which covers medical services for the needy, poor and disabled.
Officials said last week that the state needs to spend $44 million more on social services than previously estimated, most of it on Medicaid.
Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration says the figure would be even higher without his efforts to overhaul Medicaid, but senators are skeptical.
The full Legislature reconvenes April 25.
