Policy and Research
The Great Health Reform Debate: Some Kansas experts weigh in
0 | May. 10, 2012 |
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.
Health Reform Brief 6: What the Affordable Care Act Could Mean for Kansas Employers and Health Insurance
0 | Apr. 24, 2012 |
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 |
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 Health Reform Challenge Before the Supreme Court
0 | Mar. 27, 2012 |
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.
Status of states' action on implementing the Affordable Care Act
0 | Mar. 22, 2012 |
The Commonwealth Fund and the Kaiser Family Foundation each recently released reports about the wide variance in health reform implementation going on across the states. While some states have led the way on implementation, others like Kansas have held back.
News
New kind of Kansas health insurance company in the works
0 | May. 14, 2012 |
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.
Health care increasingly out of reach for millions of Americans, thousands of Kansans
0 | May. 08, 2012 |
Having trouble finding a doctor? You’re not alone. Tens of millions of adults under 65 — both those with insurance and those without — saw their access to health care dramatically worsen over the past decade, according to a study released Monday.
Kansas health centers awarded $21.7 million to expand services
0 | May. 01, 2012 |
Five Kansas community health centers will receive nearly $21.7 million in federal grants to expand their facilities. The money was made available through the Affordable Care Act and is expected to improve access for nearly 40,000 Kansans.
Grant funds remain for nonprofits seeking ACA programs
0 | May. 01, 2012 |
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.
Justice Dept. takes over waiting list case
0 | Apr. 23, 2012 |
Because the Department of Justice has taken over negotiations with the governor’s office, it's more likely that the state will be sued in federal court.
Autism initiative fails to get Senate vote
0 | May. 17, 2012 |
After two tries in two days, supporters of a measure that would have required health insurance companies to cover autism disorders failed to get the bill out of committee for a vote on the Senate floor.
Gavels drop on 2012 Legislature
0 | May. 20, 2012 |
The Kansas Legislature ended its longest ever wrap-up session Sunday after both chambers agreed to a budget plan. Read more here for updates on various health-related items settled in the budget.
Some domestic violence programs won't contract with SRS
0 | May. 18, 2012 |
Operators of many of the state’s shelters for victims of domestic violence are letting legislators know they object to a plan by the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services to alter the way services are offered to their clients who are eligible for public assistance. “It’s pretty simple,” said Rebecca Brubaker, who runs Safehouse Crisis Center, a seven-county program with shelters in Coffeyville and Pittsburg. “We feel that the changes they’ve made to the contracts put victims at risk, and we’re not willing to do that.”
Issue Brief: The Growing Health and Financial Costs of Inadequate Health Insurance
0 | Jan. 01, 2009 |
This introduction to the issue of underinsurance discusses the difficulty in determining what constitutes underinsurance and alerts policymakers to issues they should consider when addressing this issue.
Governor heeds call to postpone DD in KanCare
0 | Apr. 25, 2012 |
Gov. Sam Brownback announced he supports delaying for a year the inclusion of long-term services for the developmentally disabled in KanCare, the administration’s plan for letting insurance companies manage day-to-day operations of the state’s $2.8 billion Medicaid program.
Legislators recall Bethell as caring colleague
0 | May. 21, 2012 |
Rep. Bob Bethell, an Alden Republican and a key player in the state’s health reform debate, died early Sunday evening after a one-car accident on Interstate 70 near the Paxico exit. He was 69.
State officials prepare for more algae outbreaks in lakes
1 | May. 10, 2012 |
Officials from several state agencies briefed the media on so-called "blue-green algae" outbreaks, which they said were likely worse last summer than they've ever been. But they could offer little information on what to expect this year.
Conference committee agrees on bill to phase out Kan-ed
1 | May. 15, 2012 |
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.
Conference committee agrees on newborn screening bill
2 | May. 01, 2012 |
House and Senate negotiators have agreed to a bill that would create a fund to pay for the state’s newborn screening program.
CMS posts KanCare proposal, invites public comment
1 | May. 11, 2012 |
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 |
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.
Confirmation of SRS chief draws opposition
3 | Mar. 05, 2012 |
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.
Upcoming Events
Commentary
Administration working on waiting lists
0 | May. 04, 2012 |
The Brownback administration, which inherited the waiting list, has taken a number of steps to reform the program and more efficiently utilize our resources while improving the effectiveness and integrity of services.
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