Kansas Health Institute | Staff: Dave Ranney

Dave Ranney, Senior Writer/Editor, is a journalist who has covered state government for the Harris News Service, the Wichita Eagle and, most recently, the Lawrence Journal-World. He has a special interest in social services. Ranney received the Burton W. Marvin Kansas News Enterprise Award in 2000. The award recognizes outstanding reporting by a Kansas newspaper. Ranney, who holds a bachelor’s degree in sociology, worked with adults with developmental disabilities for eight years before becoming a reporter.

Work by Dave

Legislators recall Bethell as caring colleague

Bethell dies in I-70 wreck on drive home from end of legislative session

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.

Some domestic violence programs won't contract with SRS

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.”

Autism initiative fails to get Senate vote

A bill requiring health insurers to cover the condition remains in committee

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.

Proposal aims to help at-risk families avoid foster care

$1 million would launch new initiative at SRS

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.

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

House and Senate budget negotiations continued another day with a final spending plan still unsettled

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.

SRS releases SILCK audit

SRS is preparing a "demand letter," directing the Statewide Independent Living Council of Kansas to pay back almost $520,000.

CMS posts KanCare proposal, invites public comment

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

Senators criticize SRS handling of domestic violence contracts

Several members of the Senate budget committee today objected to a decision by officials at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services to alter the agency's contract with an advocacy group that oversees services for victims of sexual assault and domestic violence.

Public comment on KanCare plan expected to begin this week

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.

SRS files plan to correct Larned hospital problems

Proposal for correcting second round of deficiencies will come later this month

In response to a recent survey report, state welfare officials have a plan for tightening procedures for prescribing and dispensing medications, developing an electronic health record system, raising nurses’ salaries and hiring 23 full-time workers at Larned State Hospital.

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