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August 8, 2025

President's Perspective – Protect Wichita Firefighters Initiative to Receive Visionary Award
KHA established the Visionary Award to recognize those who have made an outstanding, innovative contribution to health care delivery, health care financing, and improved the health and clinical outcomes of their community. This year's winner is the Protect Wichita Firefighters Initiative. 

Advocacy Is for Everyone – Your Mission Starts Here
In Kansas and across the nation, health care faces unprecedented challenges. Whether you're a hospital leader, nurse, patient advocate or health care supporter, your voice is essential. Pete Davis will inspire you to turn values into action and participation into progress.

Registration Now Open for the KHA Fall District Meetings
KHA District Meetings are a great informational and networking opportunity for all CEOs, trustees and senior staff. You are free to attend any that best fits your schedule! These meetings are provided at no charge.

Quality Corner Call: Immunizations – A Tool for Keeping Kansas Health
This webinar will cover current immunization rates for Kansas, updates on the MMR vaccination, planning for flu shot clinics, updates on COVID-19 vaccination recommendations, human resources immunization issues, partnership opportunities and tools and resources.

Administrative Professional Networking Roundtable – Sept. 17
Administrative professionals and executive assistants are encouraged to register for KHA's Administrative Professional Networking Roundtable. This isn't just another webinar—active participation is encouraged.

CMS Releases FY 2026 IPPS Final Rule
On July 31, CMS released the FY 2026 IPPS Final Rule. This article outlines the key highlights. PPS hospitals are encouraged to log in to Advantage Analytics to view their hospital-specific impact report once the final rule analysis is available.

Health Equity Innovation Award Nominations Now Open
Health Equity Innovation Award recognizes organizations, affiliated groups, partnerships or individuals that have developed and implemented novel approaches, strategies and interventions aimed at reducing health disparities and promoting health equity in their community.

KAMMCO Announces 2025 Loss Prevention Program –Lessons in Hindsight: Past Claims, Future Clarity
This program provides an opportunity for KAMMCO members—and the professionals who support them—to engage in continuing education that promotes the delivery of quality patient care and minimizes the risk of litigation.

Assets Available for National Immunization Awareness Month
August is National Immunization Awareness Month. This annual observance highlights the importance of on-time routine vaccination to protect people of all ages against vaccine-preventable diseases.

AHA and Vizient Release Report on Surgical Safety Improvements
This week, AHA and Vizient released a report on evidence-based factors that may have contributed to improved outcomes for hospitalized surgical patients.

Reimbursement for Observation and Transportation of Involuntary Behavioral Health Admissions
KDADS will provide reimbursement for the observation time and the transportation costs for involuntary holds, while waiting for placement at a state hospital.

Conditions of Participation for Blood and Blood Products
KDHE and the Licensing Bureau report an increasing number of facilities have questions about the need to provide blood and blood products as a Critical Access Hospital.

2026 AHA Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award Applications Now Open
The Rural Hospital Excellence in Innovation Award honors rural hospitals that are leading the way in innovative, sustainable and community-centered care. Honorees will be recognized at AHA's Rural Health Care Leadership Summit in February 2026.

Federal and National News
This week's topics include FY 2026 Final Medicare Hospice, IRF and IPF PPS Payment and Policy Updates, FY 2026 Final SNF PPS Final Payment and Policy Updates, FY 2026 Final Medicare Inpatient PPS, LTCH PPS Payment and Policy Updates, MLN Connects Provider eNews and Before You Go.