(June 5, 2026) – Last week, the Kansas Hospital Association's Board of Directors met for its annual retreat and board meeting. The event provides an opportunity for KHA Board members to delve deeper into health care issues affecting Kansas hospitals and the health care industry.
We kicked off the retreat with two outstanding health care experts who shared their perspectives on the current environment facing Kansas hospitals. Craig Deao, managing director at Huron Consulting, provided insights into national health care trends and the structural changes underway. Craig highlighted the challenges associated with health care economics and addressed issues related to consumerism, workforce and health care technology. Craig emphasized the strengths of Kansas health care in innovation, especially in new delivery models.
The KHA Board also heard from Chris DeRienzo, MD. Chris is a physician executive, pediatrician and a national voice for purposeful leadership in health care. As chief physician executive of the American Hospital Association and president of its Health Research and Educational Trust, he works to improve health care outcomes across America. Dr. DeRienzo provided a deep dive into artificial intelligence and its role in reshaping health care delivery. The KHA Board discussed the various AI solutions being touted to improve the health care system and the need to establish a process to evaluate their effectiveness and reliability. In addition, the KHA Board expressed a desire for KHA to identify a resource or forum to highlight AI best practices.
On day two of the retreat, the KHA Board deliberated on optimal health and the Make America Healthy Again initiative. Kari Bruffett, president and CEO of the Kansas Health Institute, led the panel. The panel explored how Kansas organizations and stakeholders could collaborate to improve the state's overall health. Panelists included Terry Holdren, CEO and general counsel, Kansas Farm Bureau; Brandon Skidmore, president and CEO, Sunflower Foundation; and Rebecca Swender, a congressional staffer in U.S. Senator Roger Marshall's office. The panel examined the likely opportunities and challenges that would arise as stakeholders pursue improvements to the state's overall health. The KHA Board discussed KHA's role in the effort and explored several ideas and initiatives. Suggestions included researching best practices from the highest-performing states, serving as a convener for statewide organizations, supporting new models of care, including enhancing the REH program, exploring direct-to-employer partnerships and supporting clinically integrated networks.
To cap off the retreat, the KHA Board held its official meeting to discuss several upcoming events and emerging issues. A few highlights from the meeting are listed below:
- Reviewed the status of the 2026 KHA Operational Dashboard.
- Approved associate membership applications for Elevate Services Group, Lewis and Clark Information Exchange and Pulse TRC.
- Received the latest updates on federal and state advocacy efforts. KHA staff highlighted the 2026 Kansas legislative session, including issues related to the 340B program, PBM reform, insurance prior authorization, behavioral health care funding and several workforce initiatives. On the federal level, KHA staff reported on the latest activities regarding several bills championed by the Kansas Congressional Delegation that focus on Medicare Advantage, prior authorization, Rural Community Hospital Demonstration and Rural Emergency Hospital 2.0. Staff also discussed the latest developments on 340B and site-neutral payments.
- Reviewed and adopted KHA's financial and investment report.
- Discussed the latest activities of the Rural Health Transformation Program.
- Discussed hospital finance and reimbursement initiatives, including the Kansas provider assessment program, the rural wage index and the KHA Payer Scorecard.
- Highlighted KHA's efforts to strengthen the association's HIPAA compliance policies.
- Received an update from the KHA education department on preparations for the 2026 KHA Convention and Trade Show.
- Reported on the latest activities related to KHA's quality and safety initiatives.
- Reviewed information on several workforce resources, including the 2026 KHA Workforce Report.
- Discussed the latest efforts for the public perception campaign, public opinion polling, a member satisfaction survey and the We Care We Vote campaign.
- Highlighted the status of KHA-PAC fundraising and upcoming activities.
- Shared an update on preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
- Received reports from AHA, APS, Healthworks, KCMHC and KHSC.
Thanks to KHA Board Chair Tammy Peterman for leading us through important yet challenging discussions, and to the entire KHA Board for their excellent leadership.
--Chad Austin