(Oct. 2, 2026) – The Kansas Hospital Association is pleased to announce two additions to your KHA staff team. Edgar Kline will be joining our team as program manager, government relations on Oct. 12. Edgar comes to KHA from the Kansas Legislative Research Department, where he served as a fiscal analyst, gaining valuable experience analyzing public policy and working closely with the Kansas Legislature and various agencies including the Kansas Board of Healing Arts and the Kansas Health Care Stabilization Fund.
In his role, Edgar will assist in advancing KHA's state and federal advocacy priorities. His responsibilities will include assisting in monitoring and analyzing legislative and regulatory issues, supporting KHA-PAC leadership with operations, coordinating grassroots advocacy efforts, preparing issue briefs and talking points, engaging with policymakers and other stakeholders, and working with KHA members to help ensure the perspectives of Kansas hospitals and health systems are represented in policy discussions. We are excited to add Edgar's policy experience, curiosity and collaborative approach to the KHA team.
We are equally pleased to announce a second employee will join our KHA team on Dec. 1, 2026. Many of you are familiar with the longstanding relationship KHA has had with Catherine Walberg as the KHA outside legal counsel. Catherine will be joining the KHA team full time, effective Dec. 1, as the vice president, legal affairs and policy. Catherine is an experienced attorney with extensive knowledge of health care law, state legislative experience, data privacy and security law, medical professional liability, insurance, governance and regulatory compliance. For the past five years, Catherine has been an attorney with Goodell, Stratton, Edmonds and Palmer. Prior to that, Catherine served as general counsel for KAMMCO. In her role at KHA, Catherine will continue her role as KHA legal counsel and be actively involved in several additional aspects of KHA including advocacy and policy development.
--Chad Austin