Safety Net

The Kansas safety net system provides health care and preventive services to many who otherwise might do without. The system is made up of providers who are required to provide care for patients regardless of the patient's ability to pay; providers who voluntarily provide charity care; and programs that use public funds to operate. With recent economic troubles, demand for these services has only increased. KHI researchers evaluate the system and help plan strategies to sustain and improve it. KHI journalists work to keep policymakers and the public abreast of safety net developments.

Photo by Bill Snead

ARRA funding to safety net clinics may be paying off

New study shows $1.85 billion from federal stimulus generated $3.2 billion in economic activity

0 | Health Care Delivery, Safety Net

Hefty cash infusion for community health centers has resulted in medical care for an additional 1.6 million people nationwide, including 900,000 who were uninsured.

Policy and Research

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.

Safety Net System in Kansas

0 | Jan. 22, 2009 | KHI Legislative Testimony, Safety Net

Gina Maree, vice president of Health Policy for the Kansas Health Institute, delivered this presentation on Kansas' safety net system to the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee in January, 2009.

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.

Kansas Mission of Mercy - Garden City: Patient Characteristics, Needs, and Satisfaction

0 | Aug. 27, 2008 | Health Care Delivery, Rural Health, Safety Net

More than 15 percent of the patients served by a free dental clinic early this year reported they have never been to a dentist.

Uninsured Young Adults in Kansas

0 | Jun. 02, 2008 | Health Insurance, Safety Net

Twenty-three percent of Kansans age 19-34 are uninsured. This fact sheet discusses this population and why these individuals are more likely to be uninsured than any other age group.

News

House panel tables alcohol tax increase

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Legislature, Safety Net

HB 2593 met opposition from Republicans who said it was a "feel-good" measure that would damage the food and beverage industry with no assurance the money raised would go for the intended purpose. But a Senate version of the bill has been introduced and was referred Wednesday to the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.

ARRA funding brought more than $12 million to Kansas clinics

0 | Feb. 19, 2010 | Health Care Delivery, Safety Net

A new report shows that federal stimulus dollars funneled through safety net clinics meant $3.2 billion in economic activity. Kansas' share generated more than $21 million for the economy and meant thousands more people served.

ARRA funding to safety net clinics may be paying off

0 | Feb. 19, 2010 | Health Care Delivery, Safety Net

Hefty cash infusion for community health centers has resulted in medical care for an additional 1.6 million people nationwide, including 900,000 who were uninsured.

Topeka clinic gets 'catch-up' grant

0 | Nov. 02, 2009 | Foundations, Safety Net

The Marian Clinic here has been awarded a $30,000 grant to help it meet a growing demand for services.

'Presumptive eligibility' bypasses logjam

0 | Oct. 05, 2009 | Medicaid-CHIP, Safety Net

Most of the state’s safety net clinic directors say they’re having a hard time enrolling children in HealthWave. The process for approving applications, they say, is clogged.

Memo chills support for HCBS provider tax

0 | Mar. 08, 2010 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

Bills designed to increase federal support for home and community based services were dealt a major setback Monday when legislators learned federal officials were unlikely to go along with the plan.

Resolution intended to preserve cap on damages

0 | Mar. 08, 2010 | Legislature, Health Care Delivery

The House Judiciary Committee introduced a resolution to amend the state constitution to give the Legislature authority to limit non-economic damages in personal injury cases.

Senate leaders call for extension of Medicaid relief

0 | Mar. 05, 2010 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

Senate Pres. Steve Morris said the federal government should continue to pay a greater share of Medicaid costs.

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.

Senate panel OKs far reaching child-care bill

0 | Mar. 04, 2010 | Children, Legislature

SB 447 would require all child-care facilities to be inspected at least once every 15 months and create standards of care.

Using the School Meals Enrollment Form to Identify and Enroll Children in Medicaid and SCHIP

0 | Jun. 05, 2007 | Child Health, Medicaid-CHIP

Enrollment in the free and reduced price school meals program could help identify children who are eligible for public health insurance.

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.

No CHIP bonus for Kansas

1 | Dec. 21, 2009 | Medicaid-CHIP

Nine states have been awarded almost $73 million in federal bonus payments for enrolling more children in their state-run health insurance programs. But Kansas wasn't among them despite expectations by some.