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Lawrence Man Appointed KanCare Ombudsman

A Lawrence man has been appointed to the newly-created position of KanCare Ombudsman. 

James Bart is a former corporate attorney. More importantly, perhaps, he’s the father of a 19-year-old son with developmental disabilities. As such, the young man will be a KanCare consumer.

As ombudsman, Bart’s job is to help consumers with any problems they may have with benefits, services, and access under the privatized Medicaid system called KanCare.

“I’m going to be the person that says what’s your needs, and how can I fulfill that?" he says.

"Our goal is to serve, and to improve the services for Medicaid consumers in the state of Kansas.”

The ombudsman will be housed in the Department for Aging and Disability Services. That has some consumer advocates questioning whether the position can ever be truly independent.

Agency secretary Shawn Sullivan says Bart will be a strong, effective, caring ally in getting their problems addressed promptly and satisfactorily.