Rochelle Chronister, Secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services, announced today the reorganization and name change for the agency's largest commission.

Under the reorganization, the Commission of Medical Services, with a 1996 state fiscal year budget of $855.6 million, becomes the Commission of Adult and Medical Services.

The new commission, under the leadership of newly-appointed Commissioner Ann Koci, will continue to have responsibility for providing access to preventive, primary and acute medical care to about 200,000 Medicaid-eligible Kansans and continue serving about 13,200 Medicaid-eligible consumers in adult care homes and about 6,750 persons receiving community-based long term care services.

The commission will now have the additional responsibility for Adult Protective Services, which previously was a responsibility of the Commission on Youth and Adult Services. Adult Protective Services provides protection and care to vulnerable adults, including working with SRS Legal Services to set up guardianship and other protective service programs for vulnerable adults.

The reorganization also includes the creation of a division of Adult and Long Term Care Services within the commission. This division will have responsibility for existing long term care programs and Adult Protective Services.

The new structure for Adult and Medical Services will help us deal quickly and efficiently with major changes in the delivery of health care services," Chronister said. It is vitally important that we be ready to react as the U.S. Congress makes changes and cuts to health care systems."

Chronister also announced today that Elaine Wells, an eight-year veteran of the Kansas House of Representatives and a former nursing home administrator, has been appointed director of the Division of Adult and Long Term Care Services. Wells, 44, will report directly to Koci.

During her legislative tenure, Wells represented District 59 in Osage County. During three of her four two-year terms, she served on the House Public Health and Welfare Committee. She was vice-chair of the Governmental Organization and Elections Committee during her final term. Wells also spent 14 years as an adult care home administrator, including nine years as administrator of Brookside Manor, Overbrook.

Chronister said Wells' experience both with policy issues in the legislature and with long term care issues in her profession will be very helpful as planning begins on the transfer of some long term care programs and adult protective services to the Kansas Department on Aging. Chronister estimates the transfer may be accomplished in three years.

Elaine will be in a position to help smooth the transition," Chronister said.

Page Last Updated: May 29, 2001