story of the month: NEK-CAP navigator

As a navigator working for the Northeast Kansas Community Action Program (NEK-CAP), our storyteller this month had a client come in looking for health insurance. The client was a woman living in the area who had been experiencing several health issues. These health issues prompted her to seek help in looking for health insurance to help pay for her treatments.

Topic: All Consumer Stories

Kansas stories: Theresa*

Theresa is from western Kansas and is a mom of two. Her coverage gap story is about her son, David. David has been enrolled in the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which has been a huge help getting his behavioral health needs met. It has also helped him stay on much needed medications, which cost about $2,000. Prior to having health insurance, David spent a lot of time in special needs classrooms, but with the treatment and medication he was able to get through CHIP, that changed.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Stephanie

Stephanie is from Paola, Kansas. She is a mom of three children and a caretaker for her grandfather. When the pandemic hit, Stephanie lost her job. Like so many other Kansans, she struggled. Stephanie will lose her KanCare coverage during the renewal process. Since she owns her own cleaning business, she does not have access to employer-sponsored health insurance. Knowing this is a major stressor in Stephanie's life.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Behavioral Health, Small Business Stories, Workforce Stories

Kansas stories: Mary

Mary is from Prairie Village. She is a mom who moved to Kansas from Arizona many years ago. When she moved here, she wanted to settle down, establish roots, and buy a home. After arriving in Kansas, Mary started working in a factory. She also took jobs landscaping and cleaning houses. Unfortunately none of her jobs offered employer-sponsored health insurance.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Workforce Stories

story of the month: Grant county navigator

Mary is 61 years old and lives with her daughter, who is over the age of 18. She has been a stay-at-home mom her entire life, dedicated to taking care of her child.

Topic: All Consumer Stories

Kansas stories: tammi

Since Tammi can't see to drive, she is unable to work. She wants to get her eyes fixed so she can get back to work and finish paying off her house. She needs health insurance to help pay for her care so she can start working again.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Workforce Stories

story of the month: Kansas navigator

A husband and wife came in looking for health insurance coverage. The husband had recently lost his job; his wife has a condition that prevents her from being able to work. They had trouble getting unemployment, as the system was tied up with fraudulent claims. They had been living off savings, hoping it would stretch long enough until the husband found another job.

Topics: All Consumer Stories, Workforce Stories

Health in the 34th podcast

Kansas is one of only 10 states in the U.S. who hasn't expanded its Medicaid program yet. Join hosts from the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas to discuss the latest topics in Health in Kansas, the 34th state, including Medicaid expansion, the rise of medical debt, preserving rural health care, and other ways we can get access to affordable health care to our friends, family and neighbors in the Sunflower State. Listen here, or find us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, or wherever you get yo