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Statement from the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas on Medicaid expansion bill

Expanding Medicaid is one of the most cost-effective tools our state can use to protect our residents, health care providers and economy during the COVID-19 crisis and later as we rebuild. With that in mind, we commend the governor for her commitment to this issue. We will need to discuss the full scope of Governor […]

47 Rural Kansas Hospitals at Immediate Risk of Closing

Over 500 rural hospitals – more than one-fourth of the rural hospitals in the country – were at immediate risk of closure even before the coronavirus pandemic be- cause of continuing financial losses and lack of financial reserves to sustain operations. These hospitals had: Persistent Financial Losses: The hospitals had a cumulative negative total margin […]

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 […]

KanCare Expansion: Why It Matters for Public Health

By Sara Millburn If you hired a construction company to build a new house, how would you feel if the builders decided to “cut costs” by pouring a foundation for only 3 sides of the house? In the long run, would you actually be saving money? What would be the impact on the side of […]

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 […]