(Nov. 8, 2024) – Earlier this week, the Kansas Hospital Association Board of Directors met in person for the final time before the end of 2024. It's hard to believe we have reached November, and Thanksgiving is approaching!
The KHA Board meeting kicked off with a presentation from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek. Secretary Stanek highlighted the agency's priorities, which ranged from increasing the minimum state funding for local health departments to amending the Nuclear Energy Development and Radiation Control Act to ensuring an efficient and effective Medicaid program. The Board received information regarding the latest implementation of KanCare 3.0, which includes the unwinding of Aetna and the onboarding of Healthy Blue. Secretary Stanek touched upon the 2024 Medicaid provider rate increases, graduate medical education funding and hospital provider assessment program changes.
The KHA Board also recapped the latest state and federal election results and implications for Kansas hospitals and the health care industry. Several key federal policy issues are scheduled to be considered before the end of the year. KHA will encourage members to weigh in on these critical issues and participate in grassroots advocacy initiatives.
Additional highlights of the November board meeting are bulleted below:
- Recognized Bobby Olm-Shipman, Saint Luke's South Hospital, Overland Park, for his service as the KHA Board Chair for 2024. On behalf of the entire KHA membership and staff, we thank Bobby for his leadership and service.
- Appointed Dee Bohnenblust, Labette Health, Parsons, as a new KHA Board member, filling one of the two hospital trustee positions on the KHA Board.
- Selection of Debbie Bruner, Minneola District Hospital, Minneola, to serve as the at-large member of the KHA Executive Committee in 2025.
- Expressed appreciation to outgoing KHA Board members for their service and leadership. They include Carrie Lutz, Holton Community Hospital, Holton; Betty Greer, Kearny County Hospital, Lakin; Harold Courtois, Memorial Health System, Abilene; and Larry Van Der Wege, Lindsborg Community Hospital, Lindsborg.
- Reviewed and adopted the new 2025-2027 KHA Strategic Plan.
- Approved the Hospital Provider Assessment Working Group recommendations that enhance the provider assessment program to leverage funds to increase Medicaid provider rates for hospitals.
- Adopted the KHA finance and investment report and the 2025 budget.
- Recapped recent discussions at the American Hospital Association's Regional Policy Board meeting.
- Discussed the KHA advocacy efforts at both federal and state levels. KHA staff has been working on policy initiatives related to the upcoming 2025 Kansas legislative session, including several policies related to workforce and Medicaid. On the federal level, much attention has been given to Congress' end-of-year agenda concerning sequestration, extending the targeted payments on Low Volume Hospital and Medicare Dependent Hospital programs and advocating for the 340B Drug Discount Program.
- Highlighted the status of the 2023/2024 KHA-PAC goal of $168,000.
- Heard updates from the KHA staff on hospital finance, public communication, advancing health, workforce and education.
Please don't hesitate to let us know if you have any questions or need assistance with any matters affecting your hospital. Your team at KHA is readily available to help you with any needs!
--Chad Austin