Health

Two Kansas City hospitals have announced plans to work together to create a single, integrated pediatric program. 

Children’s Mercy and the University of Kansas Hospital say they'll work together to improve pediatric care. They're also hoping to expand research, boost training and coordinate children’s health initiatives.

The partnership also includes the KU Med Center and the KU Physicians group. The two hospitals already work together on medical education, research and clinical trials.

If Congress fails to come up with a package of budget cuts and tax hikes to avoid the automatic cuts scheduled for the first of January, thousands of senior citizens in Kansas may not get a daily, hot lunch. 

The interim superintendent of Larned State Hospital has been given the position on a permanent basis. 

The Veterans Administration and the University of Kansas Medical Center plan to provide more telemedicine access for Kansas veterans.

Officials from the VA and the medical center said Tuesday the effort will allow veterans to access mental health care without traveling great distances to a VA facility.

The effort began two years ago as a pilot program between the VA and the Kansas Medical Center facility in Garden City. Contracts are being worked out to first expand the access to two more facilities in rural Kansas.

Kansans whose health insurance is provided through the Medicaid and HealthWave programs will begin receiving a very important mailing in the next few days.