Staff: Phil Cauthon | Kansas Health Institute

Phil Cauthon, M.S. — Writer, Editor and Communications Coordinator — is a journalist with experience in both traditional and new media platforms. Before joining KHI, Cauthon worked as an editor, reporter, photographer and online producer for The Lawrence Journal-World, where he helped create and manage a daily arts and culture website and weekly print edition. He has also worked for the Topeka Capital-Journal and the Houston Chronicle’s Washington, D.C., bureau. Cauthon holds a master’s degree in Journalism — and bachelor's degrees in Spanish and International Economics & Politics — from the University of Kansas.

Work by Phil

Network execs squabble over issue of exchange connectivity

Dispute over fees settled for now

Following a heated exchange between two network chief executives, the board regulating digital health record exchange in Kansas voted yesterday to prohibit the networks from charging each other connectivity fees until at least 2015.

Roberts' proposal to cut SNAP fails in U.S. Senate

Kansas senator says measure was needed to close loopholes in the food stamp program

During debate on the Farm Bill, U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts unsuccessfully proposed reducing food stamp spending by 4 percent. The Kansas Republican's motion failed, 40-58, in the Democratically controlled U.S. Senate.

Hamilton County Hospital faces possible closure without $3 million boost

Petition seeks countywide vote on the question

The Hamilton County commission has been presented a proposal to issue $3 million in no-fund warrants to support the hospital in this far western Kansas community. Administrators have said without the bond, the hospital would run out of money as early as June. Hospital officials will make the case to the community for approving the funds at a meeting scheduled for 7 p.m. Friday at the Syracuse High School gymnasium.

KU Hospital, Shawnee Mission going live on statewide health record exchange

Shawnee Mission Medical Center went live this week and the University of Kansas Hospital is set to go live May 15, making the systems the fifth and sixth in the Kansas City metro area to join the LACIE network, one of two networks comprising the state's digital health information exchange.

Nothing to be done about coverage gap in states not expanding Medicaid, feds say

They also say the Kansas' health insurance exchange is on schedule

Federal officials said that Kansas' health insurance exchange will be ready as planned by Oct. 1. But they also said if Kansas does not expand its Medicaid program they won't be able to help people who otherwise would have qualified for the subsidized health coverage.

Governor signs into law stem cell center bill

Gov. Sam Brownback signed into law a bill requiring the University of Kansas Medical Center to create a center for conducting non-embryonic stem cell research.

Provider groups forming to apply for navigator grants

A consortium of Kansas health care groups is forming in order to apply for a federal grant to help consumers navigate the coming health insurance marketplace. At least one hospital and a third-party Medicaid enrollment group are also looking at applying.

Conference committee gives green light to infectious disease bill

Also recommended for passage: stem-cell and health information exchange bills

Members of a House-Senate conference committee have agreed on a controversial bill that critics fear would make it possible for officials to quarantine people infected with or exposed to HIV. Of the six members on the bargaining panel, only Rep. Jim Ward, a Wichita Democrat, refused to sign the conference committee report. "The bill itself is good. I just wish we could have added that one little phrase that would have assuaged the fears of thousands upon thousands of people all across the country — I've got the emails to prove it," said Sen. Laura Kelly, one of the conferees.

Controversial infectious disease bill appears headed for passage

Critics fear HB 2183 would sanction quarantine of HIV/AIDS; conferees 'agree to disagree' that bill does enough to address concerns

House and Senate negotiators appear headed toward approval of a controversial bill that critics fear would make possible quarantining people infected with or exposed to HIV.

Weber viewed as ‘common-sense conservative’

Youngest budget chair in state history has direct experience with social service safety net

When he was tapped to lead the Social Services Budget Committee this year, Rep. Brian Weber became perhaps the youngest budget committee chair in state history, according to an expert at the State Library of Kansas. But the 30-year-old, Dodge City Republican has more life experience applicable to the committee's responsibilities than many his age.

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