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

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.

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.

Spokesmen for developmentally disabled ask Supreme Court to halt spending cuts

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

Ways and Means subcommittee finishes KHPA and SRS budgets

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | KHPA, SRS, Legislature

Some of the Legislature's strongest supporters of early childhood development programs signed off on sharp cuts in children's programs, re-emphasizing the signal from Senate GOP leaders that tax increases will be necessary.

Ways and Means Committee agrees to cuts in social services

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | KHPA, SRS, Legislature

The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday upheld proposed cuts in the budgets of the Kansas Health Policy Authority and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

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.

Insurance bill would 'test track' autism coverage

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | Child Health, Legislature, Insurance

A bill that sets the stage for requiring state-regulated insurance plans to cover autism was heard Wednesday in the Senate insurance committee.

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.

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.