Larned Hospital superintendent resigns
SRS names Thomas Kinlen interim superintendent
Christopher Burke resigned today after less than a year as superintendent of Larned State Hospital, SRS officials announced. His resignation comes amid renewed concerns over long-standing problems at the hospital.
Two more plead guilty to Medicaid fraud in Labette County
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.
New law extends legal protections for refusal of abortion-related care
Dental hygienist, newborn screening bills also among those signed into law
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.
Blue Cross of Kansas selects board members
At its annual policyholder meeting Thursday, the Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas Board of Directors selected five members as well as the board's chair and vice chair.
Two Kansas hospitals earn initial Level IV trauma center designation
Two hospitals in the state are the first to be designated as Level IV trauma centers, where seriously injured patients can be stabilized and, if necessary, transferred to larger trauma centers.
Two plead guilty to multiple Medicaid fraud counts
Cases filed in Labette County District Court; more charges pending
Two people pleaded guilty to felony charges of Medicaid fraud and were ordered to repay nearly $30,000, according to the Kansas Attorney General's Office.
Kansas HIT incentives total $18.3 million
A total of $18.3 million has been awarded to 279 Kansas doctors and 25 hospitals for implementing electronic health record systems, officials at the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced Monday.
Tobacco settlement money received
Governor holds fast on "conservative" approach, children's advocates say money should be spent
The state this week received $56 million as its latest installment payment from a national settlement with the major tobacco companies. Children's advocates say that's a reason to fully fund a range of programs for youngsters. The Legislature apparently agrees. But the Governor's Office said the fresh payment was no reason to back away from the administration's "conservative" approach to the tobacco funding, which would mean a cut of about $16 million for programs paid for from the Children's Initiative Fund.
Crawford County Health Department to showcase new offices
KDHE Secretary Dr. Robert Moser is expected to attend a Wednesday ribbon-cutting ceremony at a new southeast Kansas health facility.
Emergency food stamp benefits offered in Wichita area
Two emergency offices have been set up in the Wichita area to help food stamp beneficiaries replace food lost during last weekend's severe weather.
Two more counties approve resolution seeking KanCare carve-out
Brown and Linn counties join those asking the governor to exclude services for the developmentally disabled
Two more counties have approved resolutions asking that Gov. Sam Brownback exclude long-term services for the developmentally disabled from his Medicaid makeover plan.
Mary Brownback encourages child abuse prevention efforts
Kansas First Lady Mary Brownback delivered brief remarks on child abuse prevention today to about 50 advocates, agency workers and members of the public. She said that in Kansas there have been nearly 13,000 substantiated cases of child abuse since July 2011.
New report paints profile of typical assisted living resident
The majority of people living in residential care facilities nationwide are white females over the age of 85, and one in five are Medicaid beneficiaries, according to a new report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Meningitis awareness group plans Kansas events
The Meningitis Angels — a national organization working to raise awareness about the preventable and sometimes deadly disease — will be in Kansas for several Meningitis Awareness Day events.
CMS official to address Abilene forum
A deputy director from the regional office of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will discuss health reform at a forum in Abilene.
Atkinson replaced early at KU Medical Center
Retirement set for June; new interim leader takes reins now
Dr. Barbara Atkinson, the head of the University of Kansas Medical Center, will retire in June instead of December 2013, according to KU officials. And a new interim leader will take charge immediately.
Poverty conference scheduled
The annual Kansas Conference on Poverty is aimed at policymakers and employees of government and social service agencies, advocates for the poor and volunteers.
Kensinger returns to campaign work
Gov. Sam Brownback's chief of staff will work elections here and in Indiana
David Kensinger, long-time political adviser to Gov. Sam Brownback, has resigned as the governor's chief of staff and will return to campaign work here and in Indiana.
Court upholds bankruptcy exemption for Earned Income Tax Credit
A federal judge has upheld a 2011 Kansas law that allowed low-income Kansans to exempt from bankruptcy proceedings money they received from the Earned Income Tax Credit.
SRS special assistant Richard Marks steps down
Addiction prevention director will take over marriage programs
Richard Marks, a special assistant at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services who worked on programs promoting marriage and fatherhood, has resigned to return to Florida. SRS officials said George Williams, formerly director of addiction prevention services, would replace him.
Haulmark named SRS deputy secretary
Gary Haulmark has been named deputy secretary at the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services. He will oversee the agency's division of disability and behavioral health services, a position previously held by Pedro Moreno.
KanCare forum scheduled
A public forum to discuss the KanCare Medicaid makeover plan proposed by Gov. Sam Brownback has been scheduled in Overland Park.
Conference committee advances two health bills
Two pieces of legislation dealing with drug prescriptions were combined and advanced by House and Senate negotiaters.
Budget deal struck
House and Senate budget negotiators put off the thorniest issues until legislators return for the wrap-up session but that allowed them to reach accord on a budget plan that can now go before their respective chambers.
KU Cancer Center names lead physician
The University of Kansas Cancer Center has hired Terance Tsue as its first physician-in-chief, KU officials announced today.
New online tool helps families research child-care facilities
Kansas parents can now go online to see state inspection reports as they try to choose a child-care facility.
Budget negotiators make minor progress
House and Senate budget negotiators made limited progress Tuesday and are scheduled to resume talks at 9 a.m. on Wednesday.
Senate endorses KanCare oversight committee
The Senate endorsed by a wide margin a bill that would create a joint legislative committee to oversee the implementation of KanCare, the Medicaid makeover plan proposed by Gov. Sam Brownback.
KanCare Advisory Council scheduled for first meeting
A 20-member advisory panel formed to help with the implementation of Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid makeover plan has been scheduled to hold its first meeting next week.
Kansas hospitals to receive $10.4 million in HIT incentives
Twenty-three Kansas hospitals will receive a total of $10.4 million in federal incentives for implementing electronic health records systems, the Kansas Department of Health and Environment announced.
Phyllis Gilmore confirmed as SRS secretary
Will be sworn in Wednesday
The Senate confirmed Phyllis Gilmore's appointment as secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
House advances budget bill
The House advanced the first major budget bill of the session. Members rejected several attempts to add money for various social service programs but agreed by wide margin to shift $29 million from road spending to K-12 education.
KU graduate programs recognized
U.S. News & World Reports ranks 16 health care programs among nation's Top 40
Sixteen health care programs at the University of Kansas ranked among the Top 40 programs nationwide, according to the 2013 U.S News & World Reports graduate school rankings released this week.
Senate panel recommends confirmation of new SRS secretary
The Senate Ways and Means Committee with a unanimous voice vote recommended the confirmation of Phyllis Gilmore as secretary of the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.
KU Hospital to speed expansion
Previous timetable scrapped because of patient demand, officials say
University of Kansas Hospital officials say they'll speed the expansion of the Center for Advanced Heart Care due to greater-than-expected patient demand. The original timetable was to open one 32-bed unit at the center this summer and save two floors for later growth. Now, all three floors will be opened at once.
Governor's budget amendment would beef up KanCare plan
Extra $3.4 million to prepare Medicaid clients and providers and develop a single point for billing
Gov. Sam Brownback has asked the Legislature to amend his original budget recommendations to include an additional $3.4 million to beef up his administration's Medicaid makeover plan.
KanCare protest rally scheduled
Wendell Potter, a former insurance executive and whistleblower, will speak
Organizers say about 400 people are expected to attend a rally next week protesting the inclusion of long-term care services for the developmentally disabled in Gov. Sam Brownback's Medicaid makeover plan. Insurance industry critic Wendell Potter will be the featured speaker.
KanCare forum moved to larger venue
Organizers of the KanCare forum announced today that — in order to accomodate more people — the March 5 event will now take place at the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library.
Forum set on KanCare proposal
Speakers from D.C. and Kentucky scheduled to participate
The Kansas Health Consumer Coalition is organizing a public forum for next week to discuss Gov. Sam Brownback's plan to overhaul the state's Medicaid program.
Mental health advocates, consumers coming to Topeka
Mental health consumers and advocates from across the state are scheduled to be at the Statehouse next week.
Health care bills advanced
The Senate Public Health and Welfare committee today approved a bill that would require a disclaimer be attached to mammogram results, alerting patients that additional screening may be necessary to detect cancer. Also, the Kansas House advanced several health-related measures, including one that would authorize Kansas participation in the Interstate Health Care Compact.
Kansas Health Foundation names new vice president for programs
Jeffrey Willett previously headed New York's tobacco prevention efforts
The Kansas Health Foundation has hired Jeffrey G. Willett as its vice president for programs. The Nebraska native will oversee the foundation's grant making department.
Committee to vote on protective services
The House Committee on Aging and Long-term Care is scheduled to vote next week on a bill that would put the Kansas Attorney General’s Office in charge of investigating reports of abuse and neglect that involve frail elders and people with disabilities.
Prison unit for geriatric inmates pitched to committee
Less mobile inmates with age-related health issues would go to renovated Labette facility
The governor's proposed budget includes $1.7 million to renovate the mothballed Labette Corrections Camp to provide medical services for geriatric inmates. If approved, the facility would open in January 2013. The facility was closed in 2009 due to budget cuts.
Briefs filed in health reform challenge
Kansas and the 25 other states challenging the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act have filed their initial briefs with the U.S. Supreme Court.
Registration open for faith-based initiative aimed at SEK health
The "Leadership and Faith, Southeast Kansas" program is intended to equip community members with leadership skills and build on the momentum of Project 17, an initiative aimed at improving the economy and quality of life in southeast Kansas.
Blue Cross Kansas not bidding on KanCare proposal
State's leading health insurance company bows out on Medicaid makeover
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas has notified doctors and other providers that company officials have decided against bidding on Gov. Sam Brownback's KanCare proposal. "It would have required us to dramatically change our business model to serve new populations in different settings in less than a year," a Blue Cross official wrote. "We decided that we could not responsibly commit to so great a change at this time."
No information released on KanCare bidders
Purchasing agents say nothing will be disclosed until Feb. 22
Today was the first of two deadlines for Medicaid managed care proposals to be submitted to Kansas purchasing officials. But no information about the KanCare bidders will be released until the second deadline, which is next month. Feb. 22 is when interested companies must have turned in the financial information accompanying their plan proposals.
Administration starts process for Medicaid waiver request
KanCare provisions outlined in concept paper sent to feds
A concept paper outlining Gov. Sam Brownback's KanCare plan has been completed and was sent Thursday to federal officials, according to the Governor's Office.
Kansas Health Matters website demonstrated to lawmakers
Information will be broadly useful while helping local health departments gain accreditation
The Senate and House health committees saw the new Kansas Health Matters website demonstrated during a joint session.
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