President's Perspective – Hospitals Keep Communities Healthy and Economically Strong

KHA's recent study, The Importance of the Health Care Sector to the Kansas Economy, found that hospitals alone employ nearly 76,000 Kansans, with direct labor income of almost $7 billion. Every 100 hospital jobs support an additional 74 jobs in other industries.

Registration Open for the KHA Spring District Meetings

KHA Spring District Meeting dates and locations have been set. These meetings are a great informational and networking opportunity for all CEOs, trustees and senior staff. Register today.

Survey Readiness Webinar – Feb. 6

Join KHA staff from noon to 1:00 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 6, when Larry Van Der Wege will share regulatory information and draw on his hospital experience to help facilities prepare for surveys.

Virtual Abstraction Training – Feb. 24

Join KHA staff from 10:00 a.m. to noon on Feb. 24 for virtual abstraction training offered by KDHE, in partnership with KHA.

World Cup Health Care Readiness Webinar Q and A

A new resource containing questions and answers from the KHA and MHA webinar on the FIFA World Cup is now available. KHA will continue to keep members up to date on the latest developments in the build-up to June 2026 in Current Report.

KDHE Receives Authorization by HHS to Use Tamiflu from State Stockpile

This week, KDHE announced the agency has been authorized by HHS to use the state's Tamiflu (oseltamivir) stockpile in the event of localized shortages of influenza antiviral medication this flu season.

U.S. on the Verge of Losing Measles Elimination Status

The U.S. eliminated measles in 2000 because of high immunization rates. However, with more than 2,200 measles cases in the U.S. during 2025, including 91 cases in Kansas, the U.S. is at risk of losing its measles elimination status.

EMS Training Program Opportunity

Starting this year, Wichita State University Tech in Wichita has been awarded grant funding from the Patterson Family Foundation to provide free courses for EMR, EMT and AEMT personnel in Kansas.

Strategies for Strengthening Drug Diversion Free Webinar from AONL – Feb. 25

Nurses provide a critical frontline perspective on preventing drug diversion, yet they often face challenges such as fragmented communication and unfamiliar pharmacy processes. This session will share strategies to overcome these obstacles and lead prevention programs.

Position Available

CEO, North Central Kansas Medical Center, Concordia

Federal and National News

MLN Connects Provider eNews from the Medicare Learning Network; Third Cycle of Medicare Drug Price Negotiation, Including First-Ever Part B Drugs; CY 2027 Advance Notice of Methodological Changes for Medicare Advantage; CMS Seeks Comment on Ensuring Domestic Supply of PPE and Essential Medicines; and U.S. House of Representatives Passes FY 2026 Appropriations.