People with adequate health insurance are less likely to delay or go without needed care and they tend to be healthier than those who don't have coverage or are underinsured. Medical debt incurred by those who aren't well covered is a leading cause of bankruptcy. Approximately 338,000 Kansans lack health insurance. KHI researchers and journalists analyze and report on various coverage issues in an effort to inform policymakers and others working to solve these problems.
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While a large part of national health reform focuses on expanding health insurance coverage to the uninsured, now, more than ever, addressing the adequacy of insurance coverage is crucial. For this reason, the issue of underinsurance is of particular interest to policymakers, industry leaders and the public.
0 | Jul. 20, 2010 |
This annual report contains information about the sources of health insurance for Kansans and details the socio-demographic characteristics of the uninsured.
0 | May. 28, 2010 |
This brief looks at current and proposed legislation at the state and national levels that addresses the issue of medical debt.
0 | May. 28, 2010 |
This report details the specifics of KHI’s "The Underinsured in Kansas" project, presenting findings from both a survey and personal interviews that describe what it means to be underinsured in Kansas.
0 | Apr. 30, 2010 |
KHI staff traveled the state to interview underinsured Kansans about how coverage limitations have affected them in their daily lives. Their stories are presented here, along with information relating each story to a broader policy context.
0 | Apr. 06, 2010 |
On April 6, 2010, the Kansas Health Institute held the “Meeting the Challenges of Underinsurance” convening to present the findings from "The Underinsured in Kansas" project and explore policy implications and opportunities based on the results.
0 | Jul. 30, 2010 |
Kansans with pre-existing conditions who have been unable to purchase affordable health insurance now have another option thanks to the federal health reform law.
0 | Jul. 27, 2010 |
With Congress poised to take August recess, the union that represents state workers in Kansas is urging members to contact U.S. senators to push for a vote on extended federal Medicaid assistance for states.
0 | Jul. 26, 2010 |
With any change of government policy, there will be winners and losers. Last week, state officials announced a Medicaid reimbursement change that is expected to benefit many Kansas school districts, including the state's largest. But a small school that specializes in severely disabled children comes out a big loser and now officials are scrambling to figure out how to deal with the problem.
0 | Jul. 21, 2010 |
The U.S. Senate today advanced a bill extending unemployment benefits and homebuyer tax credits. But the bill did not include the additional Medicaid assistance sought by Kansas and other states that need the money to keep their budgets balanced.
0 | Jul. 19, 2010 |
Now that the federal government has approved a change in the state Medicaid plan, Kansas public schools will receive increased funding for health care services they provide children enrolled in special education, officials announced today. But payments for attendant care for the students have been halted and that leaves some schools particularly hard hit.
0 | Jul. 07, 2010 |
Several safety-net clinics have agreed to take part in a federal grant aimed at providing parents access to free dental care.
0 | Jul. 12, 2010 |
The Kansas Medical Society and the Kansas Hospital Association will join to create a statewide health information exchange, early phases of which are expected to be operational by year's end. The initiative also incorporates the work already done by regional exchanges in Wichita and Kansas City.
0 | Jul. 27, 2010 |
With Congress poised to take August recess, the union that represents state workers in Kansas is urging members to contact U.S. senators to push for a vote on extended federal Medicaid assistance for states.
1 | Jun. 30, 2010 |
The governor issued an executive order today creating a non-profit corporation to oversee efforts to expand the use of health information technology. The corporation will be governed by a 17-member board, most of whom will be chosen by the governor and named at a later date.
1 | May. 19, 2010 |
In a few weeks, state officials will ask the federal government for permission to raise HealthWave premiums by $40 a month.
1 | Jun. 22, 2010 |
The head of the Kansas Health Policy Authority said the agency's budget situation is "untenable," and that some services being provided now must be cut or eliminated in the months ahead. The chairman of the agency's board predicted a coming "trainwreck."
1 | Jun. 22, 2010 |
Several businesses have joined a lawsuit against the state, asserting that the statewide public smoking ban that becomes effective July 1 is unconstitutional.
1 | Jun. 15, 2010 |
Cities and businesses are preparing for the July 1 start of a statewide smoking ban.
2 | May. 03, 2010 |
Efforts to get the statewide smoking ban through the Legislature show new advocacy approach of some of the state's health foundations.