Gov. Kelly renews call for Medicaid expansion in 2021 State of the State address

The following is excerpt from the transcript of Governor Laura Kelly’s 2021 State of the State address: … So, if we’ve learned anything these past 10 months, it’s that every Kansan deserves health care they can afford, good health care facilities near their homes, and for our rural neighbors and friends, more access to telehealth […]

Medicaid expansion could help hospitals financially recover from pandemic, Health Affairs study suggests

By Hailey Mensik | Jan. 5, 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has already bludgeoned hospitals’ finances amid stay-at-home orders and widespread cancellations in elective procedures. Now a surge in unemployment rendering some patients unable to access or pay for care is posing a threat to long-term recovery efforts. But lost revenue may be easier for hospitals […]

Studies find Oregon’s Medicaid expansion improved prenatal care access, birth outcomes

By Molly Rosbach | Jan. 4, 2021 CORVALLIS, Ore. — A pair of recent studies from Oregon State University found that Oregon’s Medicaid expansion in 2014 has led to increased prenatal care among low-income women, as well as improved health outcomes for newborn babies. In the three years after the expansion, one study found that […]

Kansas governor promises another push for Medicaid expansion

By John Hanna | Jan. 1, 2021 TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly will push again this year to expand Medicaid in Kansas even though top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature are less receptive to the idea than they were last year. “I will never stop fighting for Medicaid expansion,” she said during […]

Governor Laura Kelly’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice Releases Recommendations Inbox

Dec. 10, 2020 TOPEKA –Governor Laura Kelly today announced that her Commission on Racial Equity and Justice has released to the public their initial report on law enforcement and policing in Kansas. In June of 2020, Governor Laura Kelly signed Executive Order No. 20-48, establishing the Governor’s Commission on Racial Equity and Justice. The Commission […]

Pandemic, Job Losses and Supreme Court Case Focus Attention on Affordable Care Act Deadline

By Tammy Worth | Dec. 8, 2020 The day after her first chemotherapy treatment in 2017, Laura Packard watched Congress vote to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Packard, diagnosed with stage four Hodgkin’s lymphoma, was a small business owner with a health policy purchased through Colorado’s marketplace. “It was terrifying,” she said. “I was […]

New Report Explains How Medicaid Expansion is Key to Ending HIV Epidemic in USA

By Adam Searing | Nov. 30, 2020 As we live through the COVID-19 pandemic, our other challenging health problems haven’t gone away. In recognition of World AIDS Day and in honor of all those whose lives have been affected by HIV/AIDS, I would like to focus attention on public policy options that could help finally […]

A conversation with Daniel E. Dawes on Medicaid expansion

State of the Heart is Community Care Network of Kansas‘ monthly vodcast series in which they explore themes of health-related foundational beliefs, policy development and implementation, and current/future practices with subject matter experts from across Kansas. These themes are grouped in four distinct topic areas: Community, Care, Network and Kansas. Daniel E. Dawes is a […]