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Federal officials Monday opened their regional office in Kansas City to take feedback on several changes to disability support policies in Kansas — including one they’ve instructed state officials to put on hold. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services told leaders of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment and Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services earlier this month they cannot implement a change to the “capable person” policy — one of two changes to home and community-based disability support services made in May to help balance the state budget. Federal officials also have instructed the state to provide more information about the elimination of a waiting list for Kansans with physical disabilities who requested such services. (Marso, 10/24)

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey on Monday ordered the state's employee insurance plan and its Medicaid plan to limit narcotic painkiller prescriptions in an effort to cut future drug addiction. The order signed by the Republican governor limits the initial prescription of opioid drugs for adults to a 7-day supply. Children are not prescribed more than a 7-day supply unless they have cancer, other chronic disease or a traumatic injury. (10/24)