As a Kansas state representative and as a nursing facility administrator, I was involved in garnering legislative and executive support for a move of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE) nursing home survey responsibility, the Bureau of Adult Care Facilities, to the Kansas Department on Aging (KDOA).

The reasons behind this administrative change were many but the most important is that KDOA has as its reason for being the care of Kansas elders. Its focus on our elders’ care is not diluted by other interests. It makes sense that a state agency with a budget the size of KDOA’s has a connection between funding and oversight of programs directly impacting the care given to our elders.

Never in this move, which ultimately is only a consolidating of duties from one state agency to another for efficiency improvements and cost reductions, has there been an agenda to reduce the emphasis that our state gives in delivering quality care to our elders. Never in this move has there been an effort to withhold public information. Never in this move has the nursing home profession “wielded undue influence” over the inspection process.

Since the move began last summer, there have been transition plans to effect the move. As with any move of this size KDOA advises there were minor delays in a few normally occurring duties, such as providing inspection report data to advocacy groups or the media, that simply, and regrettably, were overlooked. There was nothing sinister in these administrative errors nor was there ever any effort to withhold public information. It is unfortunate that change is often seen as a problem, not an opportunity.

Mistakes happen and always will as fallible humans are involved. However, as I understand, this problem has been corrected and a process is in place to make certain that the problem won’t occur again.

I believe now as I did a year ago that the move was another positive step in improving care for our state’s elders. I deeply care for their needs and the need for nursing home facilities to provide the highest quality care. You have my assurance both as a state representative and as a nursing home administrator that I remain committed to assuring nursing home residents and their families full disclosure of survey inspections and other information regarding care indicators in a nursing facility.

Bob Bethell is a Republican representative from Alden.