(Dec. 6, 2024) – There is a saying associated with Kansas as early as 1918, when a newspaper in Mankato, Kansas, wrote, "If you don't like the Kansas weather today, just wait a day and probably tomorrow will suit." The world of politics is not much different from the shifts we see in the weather. In just the last few weeks, Kansas has seen snowy conditions in the west, sunny skies with fall-like temperatures across the central plains and strong winds with tornado risks. Whether you prefer the sunny weather or your Kansas community needs to see some rain, post-election could be joy for you or a time of stormy skies. But do not worry, like everything, nothing lasts long.
The Kansas electorate that just two years ago re-elected Laura Kelly by more than two percentage points has swung back to add to the Republican supermajorities previously serving in the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate. With Republicans adding two in the House and three in the Senate, the new splits will be 88 Republicans and 37 Democrats in the Kansas House and 31 Republicans and nine Democrats in the Senate. The supermajorities, like our Kansas skies, are closely monitored, as it takes supermajorities to pass both constitutional provisions and override a governor's veto.
It's true that while climates of partisanship may sometimes feel unsettling, some things in the political landscape perpetually stay the same. That is true of the advocacy work we do with our membership at the Kansas Hospital Association. No matter the current climate, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with policymakers and elected officials from all backgrounds and political persuasions to ensure our state has the critical health care needed when it counts the most.
With more than 30 new faces in the state House and Senate, members met this week to hold the first legislative action of the 2025 session by electing leadership. For the most part, leadership in the Kansas House did not change. The chamber will again be led by Speaker Dan Hawkins (R-Wichita), Majority Leader Chris Croft (R-Overland Park) and Speaker Pro Tempore Blake Carpenter (R-Wichita). However, the chamber did choose a new Democrat Minority Leader, Rep. Brandon Woodard (R-Lenexa). On the Senate side, the Republican caucus re-elected Ty Masterson (R-Andover) as Senate president but chose a new majority leader in Sen. Chase Blasi (R-Wichita) and Vice President Sen. Tim Shallenburger (R-Baxter Springs). The Democratic party re-elected their caucus leadership, which will be led by Sen. Dinah Sykes (D-Lenexa).
No matter who represents our communities in the Kansas statehouse, hospitals continue to face challenges that sometimes feel like the Kansas headwinds. In 2025, our advocacy work will likely focus on three main areas: finance, workforce and ensuring that Kansans have access to the proper care at the right time.
We are looking forward to the start of the new legislative session on Jan. 13. I want to personally invite KHA member hospitals to bring their leadership team, staff and board members to Topeka for the Annual KHA Advocacy Day, on Jan. 23. This is an excellent opportunity to discuss the needs of your hospital with our state elected officials and celebrate our advocacy work as our 2024 Advocacy All Stars graduates are recognized. We invite you to register for this special KHA Advocacy Day event. See the related article on our Advocacy All-Stars.
In the end, I hope to have you join us in tracking the temperatures, watching the skies, closely monitoring your rain gauge and making the most of our advocacy adventures in 2025, regardless of the direction of the political winds. Please know that no matter how much the political atmosphere may change, we at KHA will always work on your behalf. Hope to see you in January.
--Chad Austin