KanCare Expansion - Response from KHA Board Chair Steve Kelly - Oct. 7, 2015

Opinion Editorial from Tom Bell, president and CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association in Topeka, Kansas.

The U.S. Supreme Court released their ruling in favor of Sec. Burwell in the recent federal
lawsuit challenging the U.S. Treasury regulation. The Court validated the use of federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act in states, like Kansas, that have a federal exchange. Therefore, the approximately 78,000 Kansans who are eligible to receive federal subsidies when purchasing insurance through the federal exchange may continue to do so.

The Kansas Hospital Association is pleased to announce that the Kansas Hospital Education and Research Foundation has received pledges from 75 Kansas hospitals committed to examining their current food and beverage practices. These hospitals will consider new policies that provide healthier food options in the hospital cafeteria and throughout the facility. This enhanced access to healthy food aims to positively impact hospital employees, patients and visitors.

The ultimate goal of the project is to identify a financially sustainable model that can provide access to essential health services within a reasonable distance, while encouraging collaboration between local and regional providers.

More than two-thirds of Kansas voters support the proposed expansion of the state’s Medicaid program, KanCare, which will cover 160,000 individuals with an income up to 138% of the federal poverty level. An April statewide public opinion poll shows that majorities across all political parties favor KanCare expansion.

Recent Studies Enforce Need to Support New Legislation for Coverage and Jobs - It is significantly important to rural and urban hospitals that a "Kansas-based" solution is reached on expansion. House Bill 2319, introduced by the Kansas Hospital Association, requires the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to develop a federal Medicaid waiver for a budget-neutral managed care program known as KanCare 2.0. This program would provide access to health care coverage options for newly eligib

New report demonstrates net savings and details consequences without expansion. See report and summary brief.

Media KanCare Expansion - Jessica Franco Story

Media KanCare Expansion - Kelly Brown Story