Work by Phil Cauthon | Kansas Health Institute

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.

Bill would not allow quarantine of people with HIV, health officials say

KDHE officials: National media coverage based on false premise

State health officials today addressed recent media reports that a bill in the Legislature would, if approved, allow the quarantine of people infected with or exposed to HIV.

Pharmacy board approves plan to connect to statewide exchange

LACIE ready to connect, KHIN says cost and priorities impeding progress

The Kansas Board of Pharmacy approved a plan to connect the state's prescription drug monitoring program with LACIE — one of the two Kansas networks for exchanging patient health information. Members expressed frustration with attempts to connect with the other network, KHIN.

House endorses bill requiring KU Med to establish stem cell center

After 45 minutes of debate, the House tentatively approved a bill that requires the University of Kansas Medical Center to create a center for conducting non-embryonic stem cell research.

Kansas counties ranked in annual health report

Education cited as single most important factor in improving health outcomes

A new report ranking Kansas counties according to their health outcomes and risk factors showed little change from previous years. Four of the five least-healthy counties are in Southeast Kansas and, the fifth, Wyandotte County, is part of metropolitan Kansas City.

Health IT innovations, value of EHR systems discussed

National experts weigh in on electronic health records

If there were as many software developers working on apps for storing and exchanging patient data as there are working on apps like Angry Birds, electronic health record systems wouldn't be so chronically outdated, according to an information technology expert.

KEES ‘will be the envy’ of states, says Colorado IT guru

Exchange innovator grant writer, former KEES consultant says Kansas’ new Medicaid project will be state of the art

While Kansas has dragged its feet implementing the Affordable Care Act, Colorado is among a handful of states leading the way — including its work on a centerpiece of the law: setting up a health insurance exchange. Gary Schneider, is overseeing development of the Colorado exchange, but until 2010 he was in Kansas consulting on the $139 million KEES project.

Kansas frustrations with exchange development common among states

Only a third of states ‘definitely will be ready’ for Oct. exchange deadline, national Medicaid official says

Development of the state's $139 million Medicaid enrollment system is currently "on time" and "within the budget," said Dr. Robert Moser, secretary of the agency spearheading the project. However, Moser said meeting the deadline has been complicated by the fact that details for connecting to the exchange have yet to be finalized by the federal government.

Kansas on track for Oct. 1 Medicaid/insurance exchange connection

Despite months of political wrangling and federal rules writing, Kansas among the relatively few states expected to be ready, say KDHE officials

After months of trying to dance around the politically charged issue, the administration of Gov. Sam Brownback has openly acknowledged that the $139 million Medicaid enrollment system that it is building will be interconnected with the online health insurance exchange required by the Affordable Care Act, and that the system will be ready to go by the Oct. 1 federal deadline.

Health journalism conference underway in Boston

Several hundred journalists are gathered for the Association of Health Care Journalists national conference. The four-day event kicked off with keynote speeches from Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick and Drs. Jerome Groopman and Pamela Hartzband, authors of "Your Medical Mind."

KDHE, March of Dimes announce initiatives to reduce premature births

Initiatives to lower the Kansas rates of premature births and infant mortality were announced at a Statehouse press conference by state health officials and representatives from the March of Dimes.

Bill to transfer HIE regulatory authority set for hearing

Health information exchange would be regulated at KDHE

A bill that would clear the way for the regulatory duties of the Kansas Health Information Exchange to be transferred to the state health department has been scheduled for a hearing next week.

Two more health bills approved by Kansas House

But resolution opposing Medicaid expansion not yet taken up

The House passed two more health bills before adjourning until Wednesday, when it reconvenes for the second half of the 2013 legislative session. A resolution opposing the expansion of Medicaid eligibility remains to be dealt with.

House approves six health bills, four more up before Friday deadline

Six health-related bills were approved by the Kansas House, including one creating a KanCare oversight committee.

Kansas prescription drug monitoring program gets boost

Free software expected to reduce the program's costs significantly

Kansas is one of at least two states set to receive free software needed to run its prescription drug monitoring program as part of a pilot project by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy. The software, which will be free for at least three years, comes at a critical time for two-year-old tracking program. which has yet to identify a long-term source of funding.

KU and Douglas County form state's first 'Academic Health Department'

The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department announced today that it has partnered with the University of Kansas to form the state's first "Academic Health Department."

Anti-fluoride bill introduced in House

A bill to require cities that fluoridate their water to notify users that fluoride "lowers the IQ in children" has been introduced in the Kansas House. Rep. Steve Brunk, a Wichita Republican, said he introduced House Bill 2372 on behalf of a constituent.

Bill introduced to transfer regulatory authority from KHIE to KDHE

Digital exchange of patient health records would be overseen by state regulators

A bill that would clear the way for the regulatory duties of the Kansas Health Information Exchange to be transferred to the state health department was introduced in the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee.

Bill introduced to prohibit health departments from seeking accreditation

A bill that would prohibit county health departments from seeking accreditation has been introduced by a Wichita Republican.

Dentist groups announce scholarships for dentists going to rural areas

Organizations representing dentists announced the first three awards under the Kansas Initiative for New Dentists, which is aimed at steering more dentists to rural parts of the state.

Advocates for mid-level dental providers meet with legislators

About 30 dental hygienists from around the state traveled to Topeka to ask their legislators to approve the licensing of mid-level dental providers.

KHIE to propose legal changes to cede authority to state

A plan to move the duties of the Kansas Health Information Exchange to the state health department will move forward following approval today by KHIE board members.

Bill to license mid-level dental providers introduced

A bill authorizing the licensure of mid-level dental providers in Kansas was introduced in the House Health and Human Services Committee.

Lawmakers question adequacy of penalties for selling tobacco to children

After being briefed on Kansas' tobacco taxes and sales compliance, legislators asked a state enforcement official whether Kansas was doing enough to discourage smoking, particularly among children.

After a year's vacancy, a new Medicaid inspector general

Bill Gale confirmed without objection by Kansas Senate

When the office was created, three auditors worked for the inspector general — now there is just one. Asked if his office had sufficient resources to do justice to the breadth of its oversight duties, Bill Gale acknowledged the challenge.

One in five county health departments out of flu vaccine, many more low on supply

Early and more severe season blamed for shortages

The Kansas Association of Local Health Departments surveyed its 99 members Wednesday, asking which had depleted or nearly depleted their supply of flu vaccine. Among the 43 that replied: 21 are completely out, 17 are "low on supply," and five were able to restock after running out once or more.

HIE network to announce major expansion, move to KC

Change in ownership and federal grant funds spur growth in LACIE

The University of Kansas Hospital is among several major Kansas City-area hospitals set to sign contracts with LACIE, the metro's largest developing health information exchange.

Business groups testify on consequences of Obamacare

Economic impact not apparent yet, lawmakers told

Representatives of three business groups told members of the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee that there was not much state legislators could do about Obamacare.

Legislators request 'lengthy discussion' on HIE developments

In the first meeting of the Senate's health committee, among the concerns raised by legislators was that they were "in the cold" regarding development of the state's health information exchange.

Bill filed to legalize medical marijuana in Kansas

The "Cannabis Compassion and Care Act" would permit the use of marijuana to treat pain and nausea associated with a number of conditions including cancer, glaucoma, Alzheimer's disease, or multiple sclerosis.

Academy aimed at plugging state brain drain

Two-year program gives high schools' brightest a jump on college math and science

The Kansas Academy of Mathematics and Science is a sort of fast-track boarding school at Fort Hays State University. Each year, up to 40 high school juniors from across the state move into a campus dorm and complete their last two years of high school coursework while also taking college math and science courses. And many of the students say they are headed into medical professions here in the state.

Officials warn drought likely to continue into 2013

Governor and agency officials say conservation efforts should begin now

Communities, businesses and individual Kansans should prepare for the drought that has gripped the state for two years to continue at least into midsummer, officials said at a meeting today with Gov. Sam Brownback.

KHIE board members get cold feet on legal changes

Concern expressed over possible complications if Legislature becomes involved

KHIE board members said they have reservations about inviting the 2013 Legislature — which will include more than 50 new lawmakers — to revisit a complicated piece of technical legislation dealing with electronic health records. But changes to the law are considered necessary for KHIE to transfer to KDHE its authority over the digital exchange of patient information.

Report: Kansas ranks among lowest for tobacco prevention spending

Recent recommendation would further reduce funding of anti-tobacco programs

Only 11 states spend less than Kansas for prevention efforts aimed at keeping young people from smoking and helping smokers to quit, according to a report from the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids.

National advocates for mid-level dental providers meet in Kansas

About 60 community organizers from eight states are meeting here this week to collaborate on their efforts to license mid-level dental providers in their respective states. In each state, proposals for licensing the new position are intended to address long-standing shortages of dentists, especially in rural areas where other approaches — such as loan repayment incentives — have been unsuccessful.

Douglas County among few health departments to digitize patient records

Douglas County is now the fifth in the state to have its health department transition from paper health records to an electronic system. The others are Johnson, Wyandotte, Shawnee and Lyon counties, according to the Kansas Association of Local Health Departments.

Via Christi Pittsburg begins construction on $18M surgery facility

Project to add 60-plus jobs to southeast Kansas community

Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg is beginning construction on an $18 million surgery facility, the largest such project at the hospital since it was built in 1971.

Rural Kansas towns cope with aging hospital facilities

Many rural hospitals were first built in the 1940s and 1950s and now are outdated

Many rural hospitals in the state are dealing with aged facilities because they were built with Hill-Burton Act funds in the 1940s and '50s. The 1946 act provided grants and guaranteed loans to improve the national hospital system, including for two facilities in south central Kansas.

Kansas HIE first to connect to CDC surveillance system

Number of hospitals feeding data to system grows

Kansas' digital health information exchange is the first to connect and feed data to the national disease outbreak surveillance system, according to CDC officials. More Kansas hospitals are now reporting data.

Industrial farming practices focus of Kansas agriculture and health summit

Robert Martin among several speakers at conference on agriculture and public health

Eliminating the routine use of antibiotics in livestock would be the single most effective way to improve public health by changing the way meat is produced in the U.S., said the keynote speaker today at the “Healthy Farms, Healthy People: Agriculture and Health Summit."

Use of electronic health records surges in U.S., survey finds

Billions of dollars in stimulus incentives paid out

More than two-thirds of U.S. primary care physicians were using electronic health records last year, a substantial increase from three years ago, when less than half had adopted the technology, according to a Commonwealth Fund survey published today.

Agriculture and health summit coming up in Topeka

Discussions about issues at the intersection of agriculture and public health — such as the use of chemicals and antibiotics and pollution — are on the agenda for a day-long conference set next week in Topeka.

Officials gather to evaluate state's public health system

Sixty officials from a variety of disciplines and from around the state gathered today to grade Kansas' public health system by collectively answering a battery of 600 questions as part of the National Public Health Performance Standards Program.