KTKA

Topeka — Advocates for Kansans with disabilities were handing out information to legislators as they drove into the Capitol parking garage on Tuesday. The advocates had set up white crosses to represent the 58 Kansans who they said have died while on a waiting list for state services.

“We’re sending a message to legislators that people are in crisis,” said Greg Jones, an advocate from Parsons.

More than 1,800 people with physical disabilities are on a waiting list for home- and community-based services. The program is designed to help people stay out of more expensive nursing home care and provide a more independent quality of life.

The State Independent Living Council said 58 people have died while on the waiting list.

In addition, advocates said durable medical equipment providers are refusing to accept Medicaid for things such as wheelchairs, diapers and catheter bags, and nursing home admissions have dramatically increased over the past three months.

State tax revenue over the past year has had an historic drop. Medicaid funding has been cut 10 percent.

Gov. Mark Parkinson has said that the revenue problems have been made worse by tax cuts granted by the Legislature over the past 20 years.

Legislators still are considering more tax breaks for businesses this session. Supporters say those breaks are needed to lure more businesses to Kansas, but opponents say the tax exemptions will just make it more difficult to pay for needed services, such as those for Kansans with disabilities.

Shannon Jones, executive director of the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas, said persons with disabilities want to remain in the community and work. “Persons with disabilities are not asking for exemptions or special privilege. They want to be gainfully employed persons in the Kansas job market. They want to be paying taxes,” she said.