Advocates for children and the elderly gathered in Topeka today (FRI) calling on lawmakers to preserve social services in the face of budget deficits. Jesyca (“Jessica”) Rodenberg is with the Kansas Association of Community Action Programs. She says cutting programs, like those providing health care for low-income Kansans, can actually increase medical costs for everyone.
Rodenberg says recently released census data shows an additional 20,000 Kansans fell below the poverty line last year. Thirteen percent of Kansans currently live below the federal poverty line.