New kind of Kansas health insurance company in the works

A Wichita group is working to develop a member-owned co-op that would provide thousands of Kansans with health insurance. And they want the coverage to be different from plans offered by traditional carriers. Continue Reading

Governor's claim of waiting list progress challenged

Federal officials have not responded to Gov. Sam Brownback’s assertions that his administration is in full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. But advocates for the physically disabled say the governor’s recent open letter to federal officials asserting his administration is doing enough to help people with physical disabilities live in community settings should not go unchallenged. Continue Reading

McPherson doctor leads in recruiting, training of rural surgeons

After working 15 years at a large hospital in his native Dallas, Hughes picked up his family and moved 400 miles north to a Kansas town where he could be a “real surgeon,” averting the administrative track he was on. Now 17 years later, he's been named 2012 Rural Health Practitioner of the Year, a national honor. Continue Reading

Wrapping up the session

When Kansas legislators return to the Statehouse this week to start the wrap-up session and begin finalizing the state budget, they will be facing the rosiest financial outlook they have seen in many years. But a projected $600 million surplus could vanish in months, if lawmakers finalize either of the major tax plans passed in the House or Senate during the regular session. For some, that is a hair-raising scenario. Continue Reading

New policy aims to reduce number of Kansans in nursing homes

The Kansas Department on Aging has put together a list of 800 nursing home residents who officials believe might be able to move to less expensive, less institutional settings. The agency has asked the state’s Area Agencies on Aging and Centers for Independent Living to have their case managers meet with each of the 800 people. KDoA has pledged to pay the case manager’s employer $2,000 for each Medicaid-funded nursing home resident who is able to move out of the nursing home and stay out for at least 60 days. The new policy is lauded by some but is drawing flak from the state's nursing home industry. Continue Reading

Policy & Research

The Great Health Reform Debate: Some Kansas experts weigh in

0 | May. 10, 2012 | Health Reform

To help Kansans better understand the law, the problems it was intended to address and the issues that prompted Kansas and 25 other states to challenge it in court, the Kansas Health Institute recently talked to several experts. Excerpts from those conversations are featured in this collection of short videos.

KanCare: Key Elements of the Medicaid Managed Care Proposal

0 | Apr. 26, 2012 | Medicaid-CHIP

This issue brief examines a proposal by Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration to change the structure and operations of the $2.8 billion Kansas Medicaid program.

Health Reform Brief 6: What the Affordable Care Act Could Mean for Kansas Employers and Health Insurance

0 | Apr. 24, 2012 | Health Insurance, Health Reform

This brief — the sixth in a series focusing on how health reform affects Kansans — examines the Affordable Care Act’s provisions for employers and how these rules might alter the system of employment-based insurance.

Online tool tracks health reform spending by state

0 | Apr. 18, 2012 | Health Reform

A new online tool tracks federal funding made available by the Affordable Care Act. To date, Kansas has received $63 million in ACA funding.

The 2012 County Health Rankings

0 | Apr. 03, 2012 | Community Health

With the release of the 2012 County Health Rankings, Kansas counties can see how they compare with their neighbors so they can identify where they are doing well and where they need to improve.

The Health Reform Challenge Before the Supreme Court

0 | Mar. 27, 2012 | Health Reform

The Supreme Court has dedicated a substantial amount of time — three days — to hear the arguments in the health reform lawsuit, in which 26 plaintiff states are suing the federal government over the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act. This tutorial provides a brief overview of the four major issues before the court.

News

Legislature ends Day 95 without budget accord

0 | May. 16, 2012 | Budget, Legislature

The big stare-down between the Kansas House and Senate continued through the session's 95th day. Budget negotiators tentatively settled most of a long list of differences but couldn't find agreement on public school spending. House bargainers said they couldn't settle on a compromise until parallel negotiations over tax cuts were settled.

New Stevens County facility to address 'Mexican Mennonite' health needs

0 | May. 16, 2012 | Rural Health, Social Determinants of Health

Mexican Mennonites in southwest Kansas present a unique challenge because of their culturally restricted level of education. "They don't typically educate children beyond sixth grade," said health department administrator Paula Rowden. "So you talk about people that really have difficulty comprehending complex health issues — this is a group that needs help."

Budget and tax negotiators deadlocked

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Budget, Legislature

The Legislature's budget impasse broadened to include the revived negotiations over tax cuts.

Two more plead guilty to Medicaid fraud in Labette County

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Courts, Medicaid-CHIP

Two more people pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud and were ordered to repay nearly $13,000, the Kansas Attorney General's Office announced today.

Proposal aims to help at-risk families avoid foster care

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Children, SRS, Legislature

Budget negotiators for the House and Senate have tentatively agreed to spend $1 million on an initiative aimed at keeping at-risk children out of the state’s foster care system.

New law extends legal protections for refusal of abortion-related care

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Early Childhood, Legislature, Oral Health

Five health bills signed into law include a measure that allows dental hygienists to provide more types of care to underserved patients and another that creates a fund to pay for the state’s newborn screening program.

Conference committee agrees on bill to phase out Kan-ed

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Community Health, Legislature, Telemedicine

House and Senate negotiators have agreed to a bill that would begin phasing out the Kan-ed network, and transition current users to commercial internet providers by June 30, 2013.

Senate offer would shift domestic violence program to Governor's Office from SRS

0 | May. 14, 2012 | Budget, SRS, Legislature

Senate budget negotiators have proposed a major change in how the state funds programs for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence. But the offer made during House-Senate budget negotiations was among the dozens of items still on the table when talks ended Monday. The bargaining teams agreed to resume talks at 10 a.m. Tuesday.

New kind of Kansas health insurance company in the works

0 | May. 14, 2012 | Health Reform, Insurance

Legislature stalls; session heads into another week

0 | May. 11, 2012 | Budget, Legislature

As the second week of the Legislature's wrap-up session drew to a close, House and Senate budget negotiators continued to chip away slowly at their differences. Kansas Senate leaders began talking publicly about the factional "war" they are in with the governor and House. And the governor talked about being excited about a tax bill on his desk that critics say will leave the state budget under water.

New kind of Kansas health insurance company in the works

0 | May. 14, 2012 | Health Reform, Insurance

CMS posts KanCare proposal, invites public comment

1 | May. 11, 2012 | Government, KDoA, Congress, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, KanCare

The proposal's appearance on the CMS website marks the start of a 30-day public comment period.

Two more plead guilty to Medicaid fraud in Labette County

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Courts, Medicaid-CHIP

Two more people pleaded guilty to charges of Medicaid fraud and were ordered to repay nearly $13,000, the Kansas Attorney General's Office announced today.

Legislature ends Day 95 without budget accord

0 | May. 16, 2012 | Budget, Legislature

The Great Health Reform Debate: Some Kansas experts weigh in

0 | May. 10, 2012 | Health Reform

Governor's claim of waiting list progress challenged

0 | May. 07, 2012 | Legislature, Health Care Delivery, Medicaid-CHIP

Grant funds remain for nonprofits seeking ACA programs

0 | May. 01, 2012 | Foundations, Health Reform

Approximately $115,550 remains in the Affordable Care Act Opportunity Fund, a $450,000 grant pool created last year by the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City, Kansas Health Foundation, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Sunflower Foundation and United Methodist Health Ministry Fund.

Proposal aims to help at-risk families avoid foster care

0 | May. 15, 2012 | Children, SRS, Legislature

Budget negotiators for the House and Senate have tentatively agreed to spend $1 million on an initiative aimed at keeping at-risk children out of the state’s foster care system.

Kansas officials to sit down with feds over waiting list concerns

0 | Feb. 27, 2012 | SRS, Health Care Delivery, Medicaid-CHIP

Advocates for the disabled say they believe the federal government is close to taking action against the state of Kansas for violating the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Little progress made during budget negotiations

0 | May. 10, 2012 | Budget, Legislature

House and Senate budget negotiators met four times today but found little to agree upon. They agreed to resume talks at 9 a.m. Friday.

CMS posts KanCare proposal, invites public comment

1 | May. 11, 2012 | Government, KDoA, Congress, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, KanCare

The proposal's appearance on the CMS website marks the start of a 30-day public comment period.

Public comment on KanCare plan expected to begin this week

1 | May. 09, 2012 | KanCare, Medicaid-CHIP

After the state's KanCare Medicaid waiver application is posted on the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services website, the public will have 30 days to comment.

Conference committee agrees on newborn screening bill

2 | May. 01, 2012 | Early Childhood, Prevention

House and Senate negotiators have agreed to a bill that would create a fund to pay for the state’s newborn screening program.

Confirmation of SRS chief draws opposition

3 | Mar. 05, 2012 | SRS, Legislature

Parents and grandparents of children who’ve been in the state’s foster care system are urging their senators to vote against confirming Phyllis Gilmore as secretary at the Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Larned State Hospital seeks additional $2.1 million

1 | Apr. 24, 2012 | KDoA, SRS, Legislature, Health Care Delivery, Medicaid-CHIP, Mental Health

The money would be used to raise nurses’ wages, fill vacant positions and increase the medical director’s salary from $210,000 to $240,000.

Dentists shouldn't fear mid-level dental care, expert says

1 | Apr. 20, 2012 | Advocacy, Community Health, Oral Health

Proponents in at least 15 states including Kansas are pushing their legislatures to license mid-level dental providers as a way to extend basic oral health care access to thousands who have none, according to national experts.

Workers with unhealthy lifestyles can expect premium increases, expert says

1 | Apr. 20, 2012 | Health Reform, Insurance

The president of a nationally known risk management company says large employers are starting to embrace the concept of charging workers who engage in unhealthy lifestyles more for health insurance.

House leader preparing proviso for KanCare carve-out

1 | Apr. 19, 2012 | Legislature, KanCare

House Majority Leader Arlen Siegfreid is preparing a budget proviso that would "carve out" until 2014 long-term services for the developmentally disabled from Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid makeover plan. It has been cleared with the Governor's Office.

Committee approves using HMO tax to pay for newborn screenings

2 | Mar. 21, 2012 | Child Health, KDHE, Legislature

The state's $2.2 million newborn screening program tests infants for 29 metabolic and health disorders. Last year, 40,697 infants were screened and 2,798 required follow up.

KanCare bidders heavily courting Medicaid providers

2 | Mar. 19, 2012 | KanCare, Medicaid-CHIP

Gov. Sam Brownback’s Medicaid reform plan, KanCare, has spawned one of the biggest, busiest and, some say, most confusing courtships in state history. Medicaid providers say they are being inundated with solicitations from the five companies vying for state contracts. But many are holding off until the contracts are awarded. “I feel like I’m the pretty girl in high school and it’s two weeks before prom,” said Krista Postai, who runs the Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas, a multi-site, safety-net clinic headquartered in Pittsburg. “I have lots of offers.”

Budget Blog

It’s all about FY 2014

May. 14, 2012

Legislators have not yet settled on a Fiscal Year 2013 budget, but they are close. And by all indications, that FY 2013 budget will balance. However, FY 2014 could look quite different.

Previous Blog Posts

A worrisome budget projection

Can current tax policy work in 2014?

A tax plan and fiscal year 2014

More Budget Blog entries

New kind of Kansas health insurance company in the works

Governor's claim of waiting list progress challenged

McPherson doctor leads in recruiting, training of rural surgeons

Wrapping up the session

New policy aims to reduce number of Kansans in nursing homes

Gov. Sam Brownback on the developmentally disabled in KanCare