Health Care Delivery

Delivering health care to all Kansans presents challenges because of the size and rural nature of the state. Because it is rural, Kansas has more federally designated critical access hospitals than any other state. Delivery of care in Kansas is made more difficult because of the shortage of nurses, primary care doctors and other health professionals — and those shortages are expected to deepen as baby boomers age. Access to specialty providers is especially limited, which makes it harder for those without health insurance or limited financial means to receive that care. For thousands of Kansans, dental care is worth a long wait in line, sometimes in harsh weather, for access to one of the large, temporary charity clinics pulled together by Mission of Mercy organizers and volunteers. Although access to specialty providers is limited, Kansas has a disproportionately large number of specialty hospitals. KHI researchers and journalists keep abreast of the multitude of issues related to care delivery and provide timely, accurate information to policymakers and the public.

Janet Scott

Mental health system close to collapse, center directors say

1 | SRS, Legislature, Mental Health

Last year, nine of the state’s 27 community mental health centers spent more money than they took in.

Policy and Research

Scarce Resource Allocation Planning Documents for the State of Kansas

0 | Feb. 26, 2010 | Health Care Delivery

During a public health emergency, there is a need to have established plans with directions for maximizing the efficient use of available resources. KHI has drafted two reports, produced upon request from the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, that outline recommendations for developing these type of plans at the state, regional and local levels. KHI and KDHE are seeking feedback from stakeholders in reviewing and providing comments about these reports.

Evaluation of the MOBI-KS Program

0 | May. 01, 2009 | Child Health, Health Care Delivery, Immunizations

KHI evaluated the Maximizing Office Based Immunizations in Kansas program, or MOBI-KS, to assess its effectiveness and to identify processes that can be improved.

Health Insurance and the Uninsured in Kansas

0 | Apr. 30, 2009 | Child Health, Health Insurance, Medicaid-CHIP, Safety Net

This annual publication of the Kansas Health Institute provides a snapshot of the insurance status of Kansans in various categories, including age, gender and work status. It also describes how the insurance status of Kansans is changing over time.

Kansas Medicaid: A Primer

0 | Feb. 01, 2009 | Medicaid-CHIP

An introduction to the Kansas Medicaid program, a state/federal partnership that provided health insurance coverage to approximately 250,000 Kansans in 2008. This primer was jointly produced by the Kansas Legislative Research Department and the Kansas Health Institute, with technical assistance from the Kansas Health Policy Authority

The Uninsured in Kansas

0 | Sep. 11, 2008 | Health Insurance, Medicaid-CHIP, Safety Net

New U.S. Census data show that Kansas is one of 10 states in which the uninsured rate went up in the last two years. This KHI fact sheet also provides information about the age and work status of uninsured Kansans.

News

Outlook up for state employee health plans

0 | Mar. 15, 2010 | Government, Insurance

State employees will likely pay more for their health insurance in 2011, but not as much as previously expected.

Governor says votes there for major tax increase

0 | Mar. 15, 2010 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

There are enough votes to pass a $300 million to $400 million tax increase, the governor told KHI News Service. Still uncertain, he said, is the specific mix of taxes legislators will settle on.

Director named for KU med school expansion in Salina

0 | Mar. 12, 2010 | Workforce

A Salina-based oncologist has been named director for the University of Kansas School of Medicine expansion in Salina.

Spokesmen for developmentally disabled ask Supreme Court to halt spending cuts

0 | Mar. 12, 2010 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP, Safety Net

The association that represents community programs for the developmentally disabled filed a mandamus action Friday with the Kansas Supreme Court asking for an immediate rollback of Medicaid and other budget cuts.

Committee passes mental health resolution

0 | Mar. 12, 2010 | Legislature, Mental Health

In Kansas, two groups of people can be denied the right to vote: criminals and the mentally ill.

Legislature wades into tax bills this week

0 | Mar. 15, 2010 | Legislature

After weeks of talking about weak revenues and budget cuts, the Legislature this week takes up various tax proposals ranging from elimination of sales tax exemptions to a new tax on soda pop.

Teens describe the foster care experience

0 | Mar. 09, 2010 | Children, SRS, Legislature

“My mother had a habit of leaving me – when I was 10 years old -- with my four brothers and sisters while my dad was in rehab for a week or two at a time,” Rachel Perkins, 19, said Monday during testimony before the House Federal and State Affairs Committee.

Chairman unveils $340 million tax package

0 | Mar. 15, 2010 | Legislature

The chairman of the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee on Monday proposed a four-fold plan for raising more than $340 million for the state treasury.

Governor says votes there for major tax increase

0 | Mar. 15, 2010 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

There are enough votes to pass a $300 million to $400 million tax increase, the governor told KHI News Service. Still uncertain, he said, is the specific mix of taxes legislators will settle on.

KHPA board members blast proposed salary cuts

0 | Mar. 16, 2010 | KHPA, Legislature

To accommodate $800,000 in salary cuts, the agency would have to lay off 45 of its 190 Medicaid workers.

Advocate: Quality assurances missing from nursing home bill

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | KHPA, Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

“There’s nothing in here that puts a focus on quality of care. It's a sieve,” said Mitzi McFatrich of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.

Kansas Supreme Court to rule on malpractice case

1 | Mar. 02, 2010 | Health Care Delivery, Hospitals

Medical providers and others are anxiously waiting to see what the Kansas Supreme Court will do about the state's $250,000 cap on awards for pain and suffering in medical malpractice cases.

Seniors' mental health needs often unmet

1 | Feb. 16, 2010 | Community Health, Legislature, Workforce

“We’re not reaching the people we need to be reaching with our existing programs,” said Steve Denny, who runs an outreach program for seniors at the Independence-based Four County Mental Health Center.

State mental hospitals packed

1 | Feb. 04, 2010 | Legislature, Hospitals, Mental Health

Jails getting the overflow.

Push for tighter day care licensing questioned

1 | Feb. 02, 2010 | Child Health, Legislature

Legislators this week are holdings hearings on a proposal that would mean stricter standards for some home day care centers.

Mental health system close to collapse, center directors say

1 | Jan. 25, 2010 | SRS, Legislature, Mental Health

Last year, nine of the state’s 27 community mental health centers spent more money than they took in.

Governor calls for sales and tobacco tax increases

1 | Jan. 11, 2010 | Legislature

Gov. Mark Parkinson, a Democrat, unveiled key details of a budget plan that calls for raising the state sales tax one cent and boosting tobacco taxes to forestall deeper cuts to schools and to roll back cuts in Medicaid provider rates. But Republican leaders said it would be a bad idea to raise taxes during a recession.