Kansas Silver Haired Legislature Sets Priorities
By Laura Lombardi
Access to transportation, in-home care and health services are among the priorities Kansas seniors want lawmakers to address in the coming year.
The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature (KSHL) approved five resolutions during its October session, establishing priorities for the 2027 legislative session. The two-day meeting brought 65 delegates to the floor of the Kansas House of Representatives in Topeka, with every Planning and Service Area in the state represented.
The resolutions reflect issues affecting older Kansans in communities across the state, from access to reliable transportation and support for aging at home to Medicaid services and protecting the right to vote.
Each resolution went through committee hearings on the first day, with testimony from professionals who work directly with the issues. Delegates then considered amendments, debated the proposals and voted on the final resolutions Thursday.
“Delegates representing every part of Kansas overwhelmingly approved these resolutions,” said KSHL Speaker Leroy Burton. “That tells legislators something. Seniors from rural towns and big cities alike agree on what they need to stay healthy, independent and involved in their communities.”
The five resolutions address the following priorities:
Senior Transportation: Resolution 4400 calls for continued and increased funding for collaborative, community-based transportation options, including micro-transit in rural, remote and metropolitan areas. It also supports local control of transportation systems and asks the Kansas Department of Transportation to work with local governments, Area Agencies on Aging, KSHL and other organizations to identify needs and develop solutions.
In-Home Care: Resolution 4401 urges lawmakers to increase funding for the Senior Care Act and the Home and Community-Based Services Frail/Elderly Waiver. These programs help older Kansans receive support in their homes, allowing them to maintain their independence.
Medicaid: Resolution 4402 supports expanding Medicaid in Kansas and strengthening KanCare by increasing reimbursement rates for providers.
Personal Needs Allowance and Medicaid Application Assistance: Resolution 4403 calls for increasing the personal needs allowance for residents of Medicaid-approved nursing facilities to $72.74, matching the national average, with annual reviews for cost-of-living adjustments. The allowance is the amount residents may keep each month for personal expenses. The resolution also calls for additional assistance for seniors applying for Medicaid, including funding and designating Kansas Area Agencies on Aging to provide that help.
Voting Rights: Resolution 4404 opposes efforts by the Legislature or county election officials to restrict or prevent Kansas seniors from voting. It urges lawmakers to protect voting access for seniors and other Kansans, including access to polling places, early voting and mail-in ballots.
Following the session, copies of the resolutions were distributed to Planning and Service Areas, legislators, senior centers and other organizations serving older Kansans.
After the November 3 election, KSHL delegates plan to reach out to newly elected legislators, share the resolutions and schedule meetings with incoming committee chairs and committees as they prepare for the 2027 session.
The Kansas Silver Haired Legislature is a statewide advocacy body whose delegates work to represent the interests of more than 700,000 older Kansans. Each year, delegates draw on survey data and personal experiences from communities across the state to identify concerns and recommend policies that affect seniors’ health, independence and quality of life.