Topeka — A $1.76 billion budget for the state's social services agency is bound for the House floor without $2 million that advocates said could eliminate the waiting list for a head-injury program.
But Rep. Barbara Ballard, D-Lawrence, a member of a subcommittee that pressed for the funding, said she would continue to push for the money.
The needs of the program were discussed as the Appropriations Committee on Tuesday endorsed a budget for the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
The panel recommended an increase of about $73 million, or 4.3 percent, for the agency in the fiscal year that starts July 1.
The program helps head-injury victims recover or adjust to their injuries. According to SRS, the program has a two-year waiting list that usually has about 120 people on it.
An appropriations subcommittee said the waiting list could be eliminated with an additional $2 million.
"The two-year wait only adds to the damage done at the time of the initial injury, because research has shown that early intervention after head injury is one of the most important factors in early rehabilitation," the subcommittee said in a report that will be attached to the SRS budget.
The subcommittee called the funding a top priority and recommended reviewing the issue again when legislators consider their last budget bill of the year, in late April, if more money becomes available.
Committee member Doug Spangler said the program saves money by helping people recover from head injuries so that they do not depend on the state for disability income. He unsuccessfully proposed amending the SRS budget to include the money.
"The ultimate result of not taking this option is more people waiting," Spangler, D-Kansas City, said. "There will be more head injuries from auto accidents, hunting accidents, skateboard accidents, bicycle accidents the population continues to grow."
Ballard agreed the need existed, but she wanted to know where the $2 million would come from.
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