Event Recap: 2023 KHI Health Policy Educational Series — Bring It!

Each year, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) offers a series of virtual, one-hour educational sessions about health policy topics being debated by the Kansas Legislature. In 2023, KHI offered five of these “Bring It!” sessions, all during the month of February.  Continuing Education Units (CEUs) were available for the following professionals – physicians, APRNs, RNs and social workers – who attended the live sessions. Be on the lookout for future CEU opportunities from KHI.

In case you missed any of these programs, an overview of each is provided below along with a link to a full recording of each session and additional resources.

Who’s Covered? A Snapshot of Health Insurance and the Uninsured

On February 14, 2023, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) offered an education session to share the latest data on health insurance coverage from the U.S. Census Bureau and to discuss recent trends in Kansas. Attendees also discussed the Medicaid continuous coverage unwinding process, which begins April 1, 2023, when the state will begin processing eligibility casework that was paused during the public health emergency that was put in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Linda J. Sheppard, J.D., KHI Senior Analyst & Strategy Team Leader, and Sheena L. Schmidt, M.P.P., KHI Senior Analyst, led the discussion.

Access the recording and resources here.

Youth Suicide Rates in Kansas

Both nationally and in Kansas, suicide rates for youth and young adults have risen over the last two decades. The rising suicide rates and mental health challenges exacerbated by COVID-19 have further emphasized the importance of understanding suicide and mental health among youth and young adults, and the options available for policymakers and local organizations.  On February 16, 2023, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) offered an education session to discuss the trend in youth suicide rates in Kansas as well as prevention strategies and approaches.  Wyatt J. Beckman, M.P.H., C.H.E.S., KHI Senior Analyst, led the discussion.

Access the recording and resources here.

Our Aging Population: Meeting the Needs of Kansas Seniors

The population of older Kansans is growing. By 2030, the demand for senior care services is expected to outpace the supply of services in the state. To address future challenges, the Senior Care Task Force was formed under 2021 House Bill 2114 and tasked with analyzing barriers and creating strategic solutions to protect and provide services to seniors residing in the state.

On February 21, 2023, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) offered an education session to discuss the latest recommendations developed by the Senior Care Task Force working groups, which are comprised of experts from around the state.  The discussion was led by Emma Uridge, C.H.E.S., KHI Research Assistant; Hina B. Shah, M.P.H., KHI Senior Analyst & Portfolio Strategist; Haely Ordoyne, Kansas Adult Care Executives, Chair of the Workforce Subgroup; and Sarah Schlitter, Johnson County Developmental Supports, Chair of the Access to Services Working Group.

Access the recording and resources here.

Understanding the Behavioral Health Workforce in Kansas

In many Kansas behavioral health professions, the workforce supply does not meet community demand, and projections for the future indicate increasing challenges. The aging workforce and geographic clustering further accentuate the issues.

On February 23, 2023, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) offered an education session to share the latest data on the independent practice behavioral health workforce and discuss the aging and geographic distribution of certain behavioral health professionals. Cynthia Snyder, M.A., KHI Analyst, and David Fye, J.D., Executive Director of the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board, led the discussion.

Access the recording and resources here.

Marijuana and the Workplace

As the Kansas Legislature considers medical marijuana legislation, questions have been raised about the impact of legalizing medical marijuana on employers when hiring and supervising employees who may be using medical marijuana, especially those who operate heavy machinery, drive company vehicles, provide healthcare, or handle confidential or sensitive information. On February 28, 2023, the Kansas Health Institute (KHI) offered an education session to share the latest research on how legalizing marijuana could impact a state’s workforce and discuss the strategies that employers in other states have adopted to manage this new environment. Linda J. Sheppard, J.D., KHI Senior Analyst & Strategy Team Leader,  led the discussion.

Access the recording and resources here.