Affordable Care Act

Sebelius Sets Aside $1.7 Million For Community Health Centers In Kansas

Bryan Thompson — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:05:10 +0000

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius has announced $150 million in new grant money for federally-funded community health centers around the country.

The grants--at least $55,000 each--are through the Affordable Care Act and only available to safety net clinics that are already federally funded. More than $1.7 million has been set aside for 16 community health centers in Kansas.

Sebelius says they'll use the money to help uninsured patients determine their eligibility and compare coverage options.

Lawmakers Mulling Medicaid Expansion

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 11:09:50 +0000

Starting next year, states will be able to take part in a sweeping expansion of the health care program Medicaid, and the federal government will pick up most of the cost. But it's still not clear if that expansion will take place in Kansas, where the state's Medicaid program is known as KanCare.

As Lawmakers and Gov. Sam Brownback consider the expansion, some Kansans are trying to make their voices heard.

THE PLIGHT OF MARI WHITE

Group Delivers 2,800 Signatures Asking Brownback To Expand Medicaid

Stephen Koranda — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:27:01 +0000

Supporters of expanding Medicaid delivered nearly 3,000 signatures to Gov. Sam Brownback's office Wednesday, asking him to support an expansion of the state's Medicaid program.

Anna Lambertson is with a coalition of organizations pushing for Medicaid expansion. She spoke during a rally at the Statehouse.

“We could bring more health care related jobs to Kansas, and improve the health of our workforce," she said. "Healthy workers, as I’m sure you know already, mean a productive workforce. That’s good for our employers and for our state."

Top Morning News 3.28.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 10:38:57 +0000

Signatures delivered to Brownback in support of Medicaid expansion; Wichita Senator says we must keep the sales tax rate as is; Study says medical costs could increase after overhaul.

Group Delivers 2,700 Signatures Asking Brownback To Expand Medicaid

Supporters of expanding Medicaid delivered nearly 3,000 signatures to Gov. Sam Brownback's office Wednesday, asking him to support an expansion of the state's Medicaid program.

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Budget Item Would Assist Kan. Hospitals

Stephen Koranda — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 10:58:29 +0000

Hospitals in Kansas could lose some federal money if the state doesn't expand Medicaid services under the federal health care law. A lawmaker helping to draft the budget says the state needs to consider assisting those hospitals.

Many hospitals receive payments to help them cover the cost of medical care for the uninsured; they are known as disproportionate shared hospital payments. As the federal health care law continues, the focus will move to funding more Medicaid services, meaning the current disproportionate share funds could be reduced or completely eliminated.

Brownback Faces Growing Pressure To Expand Medicaid

Jim McClean — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 12:20:31 +0000

The issue of Medicaid expansion is beginning to simmer at the Kansas Statehouse. Competing cost estimates and a report about the economic benefits of expansion are bringing renewed attention to the issue and the decisions facing Gov. Sam Brownback.

The issue of Medicaid expansion is heating up all over the country.

Wednesday, Florida's Rick Scott joined a growing list of Republican governors who agree to the expansion. Like Brownback, many of them are opponents of the federal health reform law.

Kansas Will Have Federally Operated Health Exchange

Bryan Thompson — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 12:05:23 +0000

The new online health insurance marketplace going into effect next year in Kansas as part of the Affordable Care Act will be operated by federal, not state, officials.

That is because Gov. Sam Brownback refused to have any role in implementing what he calls "Obamacare."

Top Morning News 2.19.13

Briana O’Higgins and Kate Clause — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:32:29 +0000

Health exchange in Kansas will be federally operated; Budget director apologizes for numbers error; KU building gets slashed from Senate budget.

Kansas Will Have Federally Operated Health Exchange

The new, online health insurance marketplace going into effect next year will be operated by federal officials.

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Brownback Budget Director Apologizes For Incorrect Number

Study Says New Insurance Regulations Benefit Individual Plans

Bryan Thompson — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:46:43 +0000

A new report says people who buy individual health insurance are saving money because of new regulations under the Affordable Care Act.

The report comes from the non-profit Commonwealth Fund and says cost savings and rebates to individual plan customers totaled almost $1.5 billion last year.

Top Morning News 12.05.12

Briana O’Higgins — Wed, 05 Dec 2012 11:23:48 +0000

With O'Donnell leaving for the statehouse, Wichita City Council moves to fill his seat; GOP Senators plan to meet next week to name committee members; A study says new health insurance regulations favor individual plans.

Wichita City Council Moves To Fill O'Donnell's Seat

The Wichita City Council is working through the process to temporarily fill the District 4 council seat soon to be vacated by Michael O'Donnell.

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