KDADS Secretary Bruffett to resign, take post at Kansas Health Institute

? Kari Bruffett, Secretary of the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services, will leave that job Dec. 31 to become the new policy director at the Kansas Health Institute, Gov. Sam Brownback announced Monday.

Bruffett has been a central figure in the Brownback administration’s efforts to reorganize the state’s health care policy system since he took office in 2011.

She initially served as director of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Division of Health Care Finance, a division that replaced the former Kansas Health Policy Authority, which Brownback abolished. There, she oversaw the privatization of the state’s Medicaid system, now known as KanCare.

Kari Bruffett

She was named secretary of KDADS in May 2014 where she oversaw a $1.6 billion budget. That agency oversees the state’s Older Americans Act programs, including Medicaid-funded nursing homes, behavioral health programs and home and community based services for older adults and individuals with disabilities.

“Kari has served the citizens of Kansas well in her role with KDADS,” Brownback said in a statement. “She has dedicated her career to serving those in need and I am grateful for her service to the State.”

Bruffett will take over as policy director at KHI effective Jan. 6. KHI is a private, nonprofit institute that conducts health-related research and policy analysis. It also operates the KHI News Service. The institute is funded by the Kansas Health Foundation.

“I would like to express my gratitude for the opportunity to serve the citizens of Kansas and for the Governor’s thoughtful, caring leadership,” Bruffett said.