Communications

(Jan. 23, 2025) – Nearly 150 hospital leaders and advocates from across the state convened in Topeka this week to participate in the annual Kansas Hospital Association’s Advocacy Day. The event is an opportunity to bring together hospital advocates and their elected officials to discuss the health care priorities of the KHA membership.

The day began with 2026 KHA Board Chair Tammy Peterman, who welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of advocacy and engagement in the legislative process. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from several elected officials, including Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi (R-Wichita), House Majority Leader Chris Croft (R-Overland Park) and Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes (D-Lenexa).

A panel consisting of former elected officials enlightened attendees on ways to engage elected officials, as well as the best way to communicate the issues that are most important to hospitals and the patients they serve.

We wrapped up the education portion of Advocacy Day by hearing from former Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Julie Lorenz, who discussed how industries can build advocacy and support. Each of the presenters shared their support and willingness to explore health care policies for Kansas hospitals during the 2026 legislative session.

The highlight of KHA's Advocacy Day is the opportunity for Kansas hospital leaders to meet with their state elected officials during lunch. Several of the advocacy topics emphasized by the KHA membership revolved around ensuring financial viability, promoting health care workforce opportunities, protecting the integrity of the 340B program and reducing the administrative burdens imposed by health insurance organizations. While the KHA Advocacy Day is a key opportunity to meet our elected officials, it will be vitally essential that Kansas hospital leaders continue to engage in advocacy efforts throughout the legislative session.

In addition to KHA's Advocacy Day, this week also marked the first opportunity for the KHA Board to meet in 2026. As part of the meeting, the KHA Board heard from Maria Flynn, president and CEO, Patterson Family Foundation, who discussed how the Patterson Family Foundation is "working together to help rural communities thrive" through strategic grantmaking and other collaborative initiatives. The four priority areas for PFF include economic opportunity, education, health care and community engagement. Maria encouraged hospitals to consider partnering with PFF in its pursuit to strengthen health care in rural areas.

Other highlights from the KHA Board meeting included:

• Welcomed new KHA Board member Austin Gillard, CEO, Clay Center Medical Center, Clay Center.
• Recognized outgoing KHA Board members Bobby Olm-Shipman, president and CEO, Saint Luke’s South Hospital, Overland Park; and Kevin Strecker, ministry market CEO, Ascension Via Christi, Wichita.
• Appointed Bill Voloch, president and CEO, Wesley Healthcare, Wichita to serve as the "at large" member on the KHA Executive Committee; and Tanner Wealand, president and CEO, McPherson Center for Health, McPherson, to fulfill an unexpired term on the KHA Board.
• Approval of several board members to the following organizations and committees:
  • HealthWorks:
    • Dee Dee Dewell, executive director, Pioneer Health Network, Garden City (Chair)
    • Brian Williams, president and CEO, Labette Health, Parsons
    • Aaron Herbel, administrator and CFO, Mercy Hospital, Inc., Moundridge
    • Chuck Welch, president and CEO, Scott County Hospital, Scott City 
    • Chad Koster, CEO, Amber-Med Sheridan County Hospital, Hoxie
  • KHA Audit Committee Chairperson:
    • Jeremy Clingenpeel, CEO, Cheyenne County Hospital, Saint Francis.
• Approved KHA membership applications for Children's Mercy + Camber Mental Health; RideCare; Loree Tamayo Consulting; and Paylocity.
• Reviewed and slightly modified the KHA 2025-2027 Strategic Plan.
• Adopted the KHA finance and investment report.
• Completed the annual corporate compliance training.
• Discussed the latest state and federal advocacy issues facing Kansas hospitals, including the status of the Health Care Access Improvement Program.
• Reviewed the status of the Rural Health Transformation Program.
• Learned about the KHA workforce initiatives, including the Virtual Health Care Career Day on Feb. 18, in partnership with the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Department of Education.
• Received the latest information on KHA activities in the areas of health care finance, communication, education, membership, KHA-PAC, quality and safety.

KHA would like to thank the hospital leaders who traveled to Topeka to advocate on our priorities. The key to effective grassroots advocacy is the personal interaction between elected officials and their constituents. If you were unable to attend this year's KHA Advocacy Day, you can still become part of our grassroots advocacy team by meeting with your elected officials when they are in their home districts. Let us know how we can assist you in this pursuit.
--Chad Austin