President's Perspective – Congress Wraps Up CY 2025

Throughout the past month, we have been busy at the federal level, educating members of our Congressional delegation about issues that have come to the forefront since the passage of H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act this summer.

Register Now: 2026 Advocacy Day Briefing – Jan. 6 and Advocacy Day – Jan. 22

KHA invites hospital leaders, trustees and advocates to participate in the 2026 Advocacy Day Briefing and the 2026 Advocacy Day. Together, these events are designed to prepare and equip participants to engage effectively with policymakers during the 2026 Legislative Session.

2026 Management and Leadership Training Series – Jan. 7 through Feb. 25

This virtual series is designed for both new and experienced health care managers who want practical, applicable tools to lead their teams with confidence. Each session will be from noon to 1:30 p.m. and focuses on the essential "nuts and bolts" of effective management.

From Burnout to Balance: Practical Resilience for 2026 – Quality Corner Call Jan. 8

This webinar from noon to 1:00 p.m. CST on Jan. 8 will explore the real-world impacts of stress and burnout while providing participants with strategies they can use to enhance their personal well-being and build lasting resilience.

Curiosity in Care: Building Trust and Supporting Patients with Substance Use Disorder – Jan. 14 Webinar

In this webinar, Tessa Schnelle, PharmD, and Jennifer Brady, clinical care manager, will explain the benefits of communicating with curiosity and without judgment, establish realistic expectations for engaging with patients with substance use disorder and describe the importance of screening, brief intervention and referral to care.

Kansas Virtual Health Care Career Day – Feb. 18

The Kansas Virtual Health Care Career Day brings students into Kansas hospitals to learn about the many career opportunities in health care and engage them in real-world learning. Students of all ages and grade levels are invited to participate in this virtual event.

Rapid Rounds: Clinical Essentials for Perinatal Mental Health Webinar Series

Kansas Connecting Communities and the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians are hosting a three-part series, Rapid Rounds: Clinical Essentials for Perinatal Mental Health, will be from 12:15 to 1:00 p.m. CST on Jan. 6, 13 and 20.

Update from KDHE: Subtyping All Influenza A Specimens Among Hospitalized Patients

KDHE is updating a Kansas Health Alert Network advisory from Jan. 17, 2025, ahead of peak influenza season. For patients with suspected influenza, clinicians and laboratories are reminded to test for influenza and to continue subtyping influenza A-positive specimens from hospitalized patients.

Bicillin LA Remains in Short Supply – KDHE Issues HAN Regarding Syphilis Management in Adults

Penicillin G benzathine injectable suspension (Bicillin-LA) remains in short supply following Pfizer's July 2025 voluntary recall of certain lots because of particles identified during visual inspection.

Federal and National News

CMS Innovation Center Announces ELEVATE Model, CMS Issues Guidance on OBBBA Mandated Medicaid Community Engagement Requirements, CMS Releases APM and IOTA Model Proposed Rule, MLN Connects Provider eNews Available and Before You Go.