Oswego Community Hospital announces closure, citing failure to expand Medicaid

One of three hospitals in Kansas owned by EmpowerHMS announced Thursday it has closed its doors immediately, saying revenue hasn’t been enough to cover payroll. The board of directors of Oswego Community Hospital, located in Oswego in the far southeast corner of the state, announced the decision in an emailed statement. Included in the hospital’s closure, according […]

WIBW-13: WATCH: Cancer survivors, family members encourage lawmakers to expand KanCare

Dozens of cancer survivors, caregivers and their families from across the state gathered in Topeka Tuesday to encourage expanding Medicaid. They took part in the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s Annual Day at the Capitol. The group met up at the Historic Topeka Fire Station on Southwest Van Buren then headed to the Statehouse […]

Topeka Capital Journal: Cancer survivors support raising tobacco use age limit to 21, expanding access to Kansas Medicaid

By Tim Carpenter | February 5, 2019 Stephanie Barr spoke from the heart about health reform Tuesday as a cancer survivor who was around cigarette smoke in her youth. Barr was 30 years old and without insurance when her breast cancer was diagnosed, but she qualified for care under a provision of Medicaid applicable to women […]

KAKE: Kansans falling through the cracks want Medicaid expansion

Jimmy Olsen’s story is familiar to those who have been fighting for Medicaid expansion in Kansas. We’ve featured his story on our website over the last several years because his example is just one of thousands that have been shared with us during this campaign. KAKE interviewed Jimmy about the challenges he’s facing now, as […]

Testimony to Bob Bethell Joint Committee on HCBS and KanCare Oversight

Bob Bethell Joint Committee on HCBS and KanCare Oversight Written Testimony Only April Holman, Executive Director Alliance for a Healthy Kansas November 8, 2018 Chairman Hawkins and Members of the Committee – Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to provide testimony in support of KanCare Expansion. My name is April Holman and I am […]

Medicaid Expansion Works: Evidence from Ohio

“If it wasn’t for Medicaid, I would not have been able to pay for surgery that was needed for a heart condition I was born with.” “Having Medicaid has meant that I’m able to pay my rent and get the health care that I need to stay healthy so I can keep working.” “Having Medicaid […]

Governor’s Task Force Votes to Recommend KanCare Expansion

Governor’s Task Force Votes to Recommend KanCare Expansion Move would allow thousands of Kansans with substance use disorders, mental health issues access to health care TOPEKA – At its final meeting before submitting a report to the governor, the Governor’s Task Force to Address Substance Use Disorders voted to include expansion of KanCare, the state’s […]

How to submit your comment to the Substance Use Task Force.

Substance use disorder, including opioid addiction, is a growing problem in Kansas. More than one-third of the 150,000 Kansans in the coverage gap have suffered from substance use disorder and/or mental health issues in the past year. That’s why the discussion happening at the Governor’s Task Force to Address Substance Use Disorders is so timely […]