President's Perspective – KHA Members Gather in Topeka to Advocate on Health Care Policies
(Jan. 24, 2025) – More than 130 hospital leaders and advocates from across the state convened in Topeka this week to participate in the annual Kansas Hospital Association Advocacy Day. The event is an opportunity to bring together hospital advocates and their elected officials to discuss the health care priorities of the KHA membership.
To kick off the day, Kansas Insurance Commissioner Vicki Schmidt welcomed attendees and highlighted the importance of Kansas hospitals as the health care anchor for Kansas communities and an economic anchor. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from several other elected officials including House Health and Human Services Chair Will Carpenter (R-El Dorado) and Senate Ways and Means Chairman Rick Billinger (R-Goodland). A panel of elected state legislators whose professional careers are in the health care industry enlightened attendees on ways to engage elected officials and how they are using their background in health care to be advocates for Kansans in the House and Senate. Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek commented on the agency's priorities and the importance of state agencies and health care providers working together.
The presenters shared their support for Kansas hospitals and willingness to explore health care policies during the 2025 legislative session. The highlight of the KHA Advocacy Day is the luncheon opportunity for Kansas hospital leaders to meet with their state elected officials. Several advocacy topics emphasized by the KHA membership revolved around ensuring financial viability, promoting health care workforce opportunities, protecting access to care, defending the integrity of the 340B program and reducing the administrative burdens imposed by health insurance organizations. While KHA Advocacy Day is a key opportunity to meet our elected officials, it is vitally essential that Kansas hospital leaders continue to engage in advocacy efforts throughout the legislative session.
Besides the KHA Advocacy Day, this week also marked the first opportunity for the KHA Board to meet in 2025. As part of the meeting, the KHA Board discussed advocacy efforts on the state and federal levels. The KHA Board also reviewed the latest study on the Economic Impact of Health Care in Kansas, produced by the Institute of Policy and Social Research at the University of Kansas.
Other highlights from the KHA Board meeting included:
- Welcomed new KHA Board members Joel Phelps, CEO, Salina Regional Health Center, Salina; Connie Chavez, trustee, Hodgeman County Health Center, Jetmore; Dee Bohnenblust, trustee, Labette Health, Parsons; and Mark Brady, MD, Overland Park.
- Appointed Carrie Lutz, CEO, Holton Community Hospital, Holton, to fulfill the remaining one-year open term on the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board and the KHA Board;
- Approved several KHA members to the following boards and committees:
- HealthWorks: John Fitzthum, Vice President Operations | Chief Operating Officer | Administrator, St. Catherine Hospital-Dodge City; Sandy Dickerson, administrator and CEO, Greenwood County Hospital, Eureka; and Sarah Ragsdale, CEO, Smith County Memorial Hospital, Smith Center.
- Kansas Healthcare Collaborative: Jenny Niblock, chief clinical officer, Citizens Health, Colby;
Tina Pendergraft, CEO, Satanta District Hospital, Clinics & LTCU, Satanta; and Aimee Zimmerman, CEO, Logan County Health Services, Oakley. - KHA Audit Committee Chairperson: Debbie Bruner, administrator and CEO, Minneola Healthcare, Minneola.
- Adopted the KHA finance and investment report;
- Completed the annual corporate compliance training;
- Discussed the latest status of the Health Care Access Improvement Program;
- Reviewed the results of the 2024 KHA Member Satisfaction Survey;
- Learned about the KHA workforce initiatives, including the Virtual Health Care Career Fair that will be on Jan. 30, 2025, in partnership with the Kansas Board of Regents and the Kansas Department of Education;
- Received the latest information on KHA activities in health care finance, communication, education, KHA-PAC and advancing health.
KHA thanks the hospital leaders who traveled to Topeka to advocate for our priorities. The key to effective grassroots advocacy is the personal interaction between elected officials and their constituents. Even if you could not attend this year's KHA Advocacy Day, you can still join our grassroots advocacy team by meeting with your elected officials when they are in their home districts. Let us know how we can assist you in this endeavor!
--Chad Austin