By Jason Wesco on October 30, 2019
Executive Vice-President
Community Health Center of Southeast Kansas in Pittsburg
“Whatever happened to the idea…that we all do better when we all do better?” — Former Senator Paul Wellstone I live in the poorest town in the poorest county in […]
By Bridget McCandless, MD on September 5, 2019
President and CEO
Health Forward Foundation
Available. Accessible. Affordable. Health Forward Foundation has been working toward these goals for health care services in our two states since our founding in 2003. While we realize health entails far more than just access to care, having quality health care still matters. I arrived at Health Forward six years ago this week. It was a […]
By Anne F. Rauth, MBA on April 11, 2019
Marketing and Development Director
Mercy and Truth Medical Missions
Advocacy efforts have been underway for several years now in Missouri and Kansas to expand coverage of Medicaid. Through my work at safety net clinic Mercy and Truth Medical Missions, I see individuals every week that are not covered under the plan, and they struggle to cover the cost of a co-pay to see a […]
By Sheldon Weisgrau on February 27, 2018
Director
Health Reform Resource Project
Just 38 years old, Amy Houston of Mulvane, Kansas, has accomplished a lot. At 21, she bought a restaurant, which she still owns and operates. She’s a volunteer firefighter and sits on the local school board. Amy is a single mom with four sons, ranging in age from 4 to 19. Amy is also a […]
By Jessica Hembree on January 18, 2018
Policy Officer
Health Forward Foundation
Health Forward’s Mission: Providing leadership, advocacy, and resource to eliminate barriers and promote quality health for the uninsured and underserved in our service area. When I dismantle Health Forward’s mission into its bits and pieces, the action words stand out loud and clear: “leadership, advocacy, and resources,” but perhaps more importantly I think about the […]
By Bradford T. Hart on November 1, 2017
Program Officer
Health Forward Foundation
A year ago, I had the opportunity to write a blog about prescription drug monitoring programs (PDMPs) and the regional efforts that we hoped would come to fruition in 2017. I am pleased to be able to write a new entry this year, that celebrates the work being done in Jackson County and 35 other counties […]
By Jessica Hembree on October 25, 2017
Policy Officer
Health Forward Foundation
Whew, these are some challenging times in health policy, and not a single one is a simple fix. Between repeal/replace attempts at the federal level, a steady drumbeat of ACA-related executive orders, dormant efforts at expanding Medicaid (looking at you here, Missouri), and a groundswell of interest from area cities that are taking the reins […]
By Catherine Couch on October 18, 2017
Public Affairs Coordinator
Mid-America Regional Council
Last-minute changes at the federal level to the health insurance marketplace are causing confusion among many consumers. Some people are wondering if they can still get insurance or if they will lose coverage they already have. “It’s important for consumers to know the 2018 marketplace opens for business Nov. 1,” said Molly Moffett, program manager […]
By Jean P. Hall, PhD on August 22, 2017
Professor, Department of Health Policy and Management
University of Kansas Medical Center
About 1 in 5 Americans is covered by Medicaid, making it the single largest insurance program in the US. Medicaid is a critical safety net program for low-income individuals, many of whom have chronic mental and physical health conditions. The majority of state Medicaid programs now contract with managed care organizations to provide Medicaid services. […]
By Jessica Hembree on August 9, 2017
Policy Officer
Health Forward Foundation
Although the U.S. Congress failed to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act, we remain vigilant to monitoring future attempts of replacing the current health care system. We have always advocated that any adjustments to the federal health care laws should be more inclusive to all Americans and should impose fewer restrictions to access quality […]
