A statewide group that advocates for the elderly on Wednesday called on Gov. Sam Brownback to reconsider his administration’s decision to close nine state welfare offices, including the one in Lawrence.

“These closures produce little savings in terms of dollars compared to the services they provide to our friends and neighbors,” said Kansas Advocates for Better Care.

“Those who are bearing the brunt of this cure-all are entirely blameless and very, very poor. The Brownback administration is trying to convince us that there are too many of `them’ and that they are unworthy of our consideration and support. Otherwise, who’d agree to swallow such an expensive poison pill?” the group said.

Brownback and Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services Secretary Robert Siedlecki Jr. have said the closures are needed to save $1 million in administrative costs. They have said the Medicaid program is hampered by escalating costs.

But the KABC said Kansas has fewer Medicaid recipients as a proportion of the population than most other states.

KABC says the Brownback administration should work to get more home-based services to the elderly and persons with disabilities. This would be both compassionate and reduce costs spent for institutional care, the group said.

“Closing SRS offices does nothing to reduce the need for Medicaid assistance absent the cynical assumption that the most impaired won’t be able to access Medicaid services,” KABC said.