Knowledge gap: The ACA marketplace is coming but who knows?

Enrollment for health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act’s new online marketplaces is scheduled to start Oct. 1 in Kansas and across the nation. But it is clear that many, if not most, of the millions of people expected to benefit from the so-called “insurance exchanges,” still know little or nothing about how the marketplaces are supposed to work or the law behind them.

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Majority of hospitals plan contracts with all three KanCare MCOs

The large majority of Kansas hospitals already have contracts or intend to contract with all three of the state’s KanCare managed care companies, officials say.

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Guardedly optimistic: KanCare and kids

People involved with Medicaid services for children say they are hopeful the state’s new KanCare program will someday lead to improved services and health outcomes. But for now, they report dealing with some of the same problems and frustrations others in the program have experienced.

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DD advocates intensifying effort for KanCare “carve out”

Push is again coming to shove in the struggle over whether the long-term care and support services received by Kansans with developmental disabilities will become part of KanCare or remain outside the control of the private companies hired by the state to manage the Medicaid program.

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Medicaid expansion advocates setting sights on next year

Advocates pushing Kansas officials to expand Medicaid acknowledge it is unlikely they will achieve their goal this year. But they said they remain hopeful they can convince Gov. Sam Brownback and legislators next year to make more Kansans eligible for the program.

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Policy & Research

Issue Brief: Children's Initiatives Fund

0 | May. 09, 2013 | Child Health

This new issue brief explains the origins of the Children’s Initiatives Fund (CIF) in Kansas and how the fund is used to support children’s programs, especially those that focus on early childhood, health, mental health and child welfare.

Annual Insurance Update 2012

0 | Apr. 17, 2013 | Health Insurance

As efforts to reform the health care system — nationally and here in Kansas — continue, this Annual Insurance Update 2012 provides new information from the U.S. Census Bureau on insurance coverage in Kansas.

Testimony - Casino Development in Southeast Kansas

0 | Mar. 25, 2013 | KHI Legislative Testimony

Testimony was offered by the Kansas Health Institute on Senate Bill 215 and House Bill 2168, both of which would incentivize casino development in Southeast Kansas.

Health Reform Brief: Affordable Care Act Will Increase Coverage, Demand for Mental Health Services

0 | Mar. 21, 2013 | Health Reform

This Kansas Health Institute health reform brief examines how the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may affect Kansans with mental illness as well as mental health providers.

2013 Kansas County Health Rankings

0 | Mar. 20, 2013 | Community Health

With the release of the 2013 County Health Rankings, Kansas counties can see how they compare with their neighbors so they can identify where they do well and where they can improve.

Convening: Potential Costs of Medicaid Expansion in Kansas

0 | Feb. 19, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

A discussion of recent estimates on the cost of expanding Medicaid if Kansas were to do so under the Affordable Care Act. was hosted today by the Kansas Health Institute, the Kansas Policy Institute, and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment.

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News

Feds make it easier for states to enroll poor under health law

0 | May. 20, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

Allowing adults to stay in the program when their income changes is a “big deal,” said Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy.

Legislative impasse continues

0 | May. 17, 2013 | Budget, Legislature

The Statehouse stalemate on budget and taxes continues. Lawmakers ended the week with no agreement on either matter before taking the weekend off. Negotiations are expected to resume next week.

House GOP leaders pen letter backing DD supports in KanCare

0 | May. 17, 2013 | Legislature, KanCare

House GOP leaders penned a memo to members of the chamber saying they support including long-term supports for the developmentally disabled in KanCare and rebuking the providers of DD services who oppose the KanCare expansion for "making every effort to undermine the state's ability to improve services to our DD population and address the waiting list for DD services."

Governor's mental health initiative panned at Manhattan meeting

0 | May. 16, 2013 | Government, Mental Health

The Kansas Department for Aging and Disabilty Services has been conducting a listening tour to collect public input on Gov. Sam Brownback's mental health initiative. In Manhattan, critics said the mental health system is stretched too thin to do more without additional funding.

House member gathers signatures to extend DD KanCare "carve-out"

0 | May. 15, 2013 | Legislature, KanCare

Rep. John Rubin, a Shawnee Republican, has been collecting signatures from fellow House members who support extending for another year the "carve-out" of long-term supports for the developmentally disabled from KanCare.

Hamilton County Hospital faces possible closure without $3 million boost

0 | May. 15, 2013 | Hospitals, Rural Health

The Hamilton County commission has been presented a proposal to issue $3 million in no-fund warrants to support the hospital in this far western Kansas community. Administrators have said without the bond, the hospital would run out of money as early as June. Hospital officials will make the case to the community for approving the funds at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the Syracuse High School gymnasium.

At least four Kansas coalitions applying for navigator grants

0 | May. 15, 2013 | Health Reform, Insurance

At least four Kansas coalitions plan to apply for federal grants aimed at helping consumers navigate the new, online health insurance marketplaces that are supposed to be in place nationwide by Oct. 1 as part of the Affordable Care Act.

CMS won’t penalize hospitals in states slow to expand Medicaid

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

That sigh of relief you heard Monday was from hospital administrators in nearly two dozen states, including Florida, Texas and Kansas. That’s because the Obama administration announced Monday that for the next two years, it doesn’t plan to penalize states that have yet to expand Medicaid coverage under the federal health law by targeting them for reduced Medicaid funding.

Insurer Centene: We can do Arkansas-style Medicaid

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

Last week the Arkansas legislature approved a plan to give Medicaid beneficiaries money to buy individual policies from private insurers on the state’s health insurance exchange. One insurer is already expressing interest.

Colorado Medicaid expansion moves forward with one Republican vote

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

Republican Colorado state Sen. Larry Crowder said he couldn’t vote against the bill when hospitals in his district are strained to the breaking point caring for the uninsured. Colorado hospitals strongly support the expansion, saying it will replace many of their unpaid bills with new Medicaid payments.

Kansas drug disposal program collects 6,000 pounds of medications in first year

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Environment

Pharmacist Lori Murdock recently signed up for the medication disposal program run by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, she said, because it's the right thing to do. “It’s a big concern to the public and the general population to say, ‘OK, I can’t just keep flushing this stuff … and I really don’t want to put it in the trash because who knows who can get into it and where is it going,’” Murdock said. “Our population is getting more interested in doing the right things.”

Report on sexual predator program taking longer than expected

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Hospitals, Mental Health

A task force charged with coming up with a plan for reforming the Sexual Predator Treatment Program at Larned State Hospital has agreed to spend another month developing its recommendations.

More in News

A New Confederacy

1 | May. 18, 2013 | Commentary

Over the five decades leading to a new millennium, state government in Kansas had assumed a rhythm of reform and advancement. Today it thrums with the drone of demolition.

When Government Worked for Kansas

0 | May. 16, 2013 | Commentary

For many generations, Kansans were governed by experienced, educated and thoughtful people who realized the great difference that government had made in their lives. The people elected to office had known lives before a time of new and noble purpose. They had come through a civil war, a panic, a great depression and two world wars. They saw the need for a government. It could not go away.

Kansas uses managed care contract for inmate services

0 | Dec. 12, 2011 | Corrections, Health Care Delivery

Kansas has used a managed care company to provide prison health care services since 1988. Correct Care Solutions, the current provider, signed its first contract with Kansas in 2005. The current contract is up for renewal in 2018. Officials said the fact the contract is for a relatively long term allows for more stability and better cost control.

The ’80s, Carlin’s Legacy and Beyond

0 | May. 17, 2013 | Commentary

The 1980s and 1990s were the last decades of significant and compelling reform in Kansas. The legislative agenda seemed dominated by Democrat Gov. John Carlin but he could not have seen through reforms without help from Republicans and their leaders.

Kansas drug disposal program collects 6,000 pounds of medications in first year

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Environment

Pharmacist Lori Murdock recently signed up for the medication disposal program run by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, she said, because it's the right thing to do. “It’s a big concern to the public and the general population to say, ‘OK, I can’t just keep flushing this stuff … and I really don’t want to put it in the trash because who knows who can get into it and where is it going,’” Murdock said. “Our population is getting more interested in doing the right things.”

New Medicaid enrollment system remains on track

0 | May. 13, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

The building of a new Kansas Medicaid eligibility and enrollment system intended to be interoperable with the new federal health insurance marketplace remains on budget, according to the state's project overseer. But the system's planned connection to the federal insurance exchange could slip behind schedule, if federal officials don't pick up the pace on their end.

Rep. Crum: Reasons for opposing Medicaid expansion

1 | Mar. 07, 2013 | Commentary

Our national debt threatens our national security as well as vital programs such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. With bipartisan recognition that these three programs must be reformed, is it wise to borrow more money to fund Medicaid expansion at this time?

Report on sexual predator program taking longer than expected

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Hospitals, Mental Health

A task force charged with coming up with a plan for reforming the Sexual Predator Treatment Program at Larned State Hospital has agreed to spend another month developing its recommendations.

Feds make it easier for states to enroll poor under health law

0 | May. 20, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

Allowing adults to stay in the program when their income changes is a “big deal,” said Alan Weil, executive director of the National Academy for State Health Policy.

Major medical provider groups ask for longer KanCare transition

0 | Feb. 13, 2013 | Health Care Delivery, KanCare, Medicaid-CHIP

Two of the state's leading medical provider groups, the Kansas Medical Society and the Kansas Medical Group Management Association, have asked state officials to extend the transition period for KanCare another 90 days, saying more time is needed to work out a lengthy list of problems.

House GOP leaders pen letter backing DD supports in KanCare

0 | May. 17, 2013 | Legislature, KanCare

House GOP leaders penned a memo to members of the chamber saying they support including long-term supports for the developmentally disabled in KanCare and rebuking the providers of DD services who oppose the KanCare expansion for "making every effort to undermine the state's ability to improve services to our DD population and address the waiting list for DD services."

Insurer Centene: We can do Arkansas-style Medicaid

0 | May. 14, 2013 | Health Reform, Medicaid-CHIP

Last week the Arkansas legislature approved a plan to give Medicaid beneficiaries money to buy individual policies from private insurers on the state’s health insurance exchange. One insurer is already expressing interest.

A New Confederacy

1 | May. 18, 2013 | Commentary

Over the five decades leading to a new millennium, state government in Kansas had assumed a rhythm of reform and advancement. Today it thrums with the drone of demolition.

Kansas HIA Report: Potential Health Effects of Casino Development in Southeast Kansas

5 | Oct. 23, 2012 | Community Health, Public Health Systems and Services

The Kansas Health Institute recently completed its first health impact assessment, which examined the potential health effects associated with casino development in Southeast Kansas. This new report features findings of the health impact assessment and outlines recommendations to maximize the positive health benefits of a proposed casino and mitigate its potential negative effects on health.

E-cigarettes unregulated until legal status determined

5 | Nov. 01, 2010 | Agencies, Tobacco

Proponents say e-cigarettes deliver only nicotine with none of the hazardous chemicals of traditional cigarettes. The smoke-like vapor emitted is virtually odorless and harmless, they say. But opponents say little is known of e-cigarettes' health effects and until they've been rigorously studied, they should be banned - at least from public spaces.

Governor signs into law stem cell center bill

2 | Apr. 22, 2013 | KU Medical Center

Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a bill requiring the University of Kansas Medical Center to create a center for conducting non-embryonic stem cell research.

Larned State Hospital nursing director fired

1 | May. 01, 2013 | Workforce, Hospitals, Mental Health

Larned State Hospital has fired its nursing director, but state officials would not comment on why, according to a report published by the Garden City Telegram. The hospital — one of two state-run inpatient facilities for mentally ill adults — has struggled with staffing issues in recent years.

Forms available for using federal health insurance exchanges

1 | Apr. 30, 2013 | Health Reform, Insurance

Federal health officials today released the forms to be used by applicants for health insurance coverage through the online exchanges or marketplaces that are scheduled to be in place in each of the states by Oct. 1.

Workers plan to protest overtime at Larned State Hospital

2 | Apr. 02, 2013 | Hospitals, Mental Health

Workers at Larned State Hospital plan a rally to protest excessive overtime requirements. Some employees say they are expected to work 12- or 16-hour shifts twice or more per week, which is taking a toll on family life and patient care. State officials acknowledge ongoing problems recruiting enough workers and say they are working with a consultant to try to improve the situation.

Pompeo letter: Obamacare is a “Train Wreck”

1 | Apr. 23, 2013 | Commentary

Unlike you, Senator Baucus, the American people have opposed this law from the moment it was first introduced in Congress. How hard was it to see that even the smartest government bureaucrats can’t competently plan something as complicated as America’s health-care sector?

More choice doesn't always lead to a better choice

1 | Apr. 15, 2013 | Commentary

How much competition do we need in exchanges? The right answer isn't always or simply "more" even if it is "more than we have now." The story, as always, is more complex than that.

HHS seeking $1.5B to run federal health insurance exchanges

1 | Apr. 11, 2013 | Health Reform

The Obama administration is trying once again to convince Congress to provide more funding for the health law’s insurance exchanges, which are set to begin enrollment this fall.

Budget Blog

Tax Freedom Day

May. 13, 2013

A look at this year's Tax Freedom Day map yields interesting information on how the Kansas tax burden compares to other states and should give policymakers something to think about in the final days of the 2013 legislative session as they work to set future tax policy.

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Commentary

A New Confederacy

1 | May. 18, 2013 | Commentary

Over the five decades leading to a new millennium, state government in Kansas had assumed a rhythm of reform and advancement. Today it thrums with the drone of demolition.