By Erica Andrade on July 8, 2020
Chief Program Officer
El Centro Inc.
How I dread having to utter the words, “Sorry, you don’t qualify.” Every year, as we assist hard-working families to sign up for Medicaid or the insurance marketplace, this is a phase we have to use often. Worst yet is when we explain to someone that their income is too low to qualify for marketplace […]
By Richard von Glahn on June 25, 2020
Policy Director
Missouri Jobs with Justice
I will admit that, in the midst of a global health pandemic that appears to be resurging in Missouri, as well as the protest movement for racial justice, it can be easy to lose focus on things that would otherwise command our attention. Elections, especially primary elections that tend to have lower turnout anyway, can […]
By Health Forward Foundation on June 18, 2020
Medicaid expansion will be on the ballot in Missouri on Tuesday, August 4. Health Forward has long recognized that a lack of insurance is a critical barrier to health. As such, Health Forward has been proud to lead efforts to place the decision to expand Medicaid before Missouri voters. It’s a decision that has the […]
By Qiana Thomason on April 23, 2020
President/CEO
Health Forward Foundation
An abundance of national historical data reminds us that in public health, when America catches a cold, people of color catch pneumonia. As coronavirus (COVID-19) rips through our communities, it exposes social injustice and divisions that determine whether people have necessary resources to be healthy. As such, we are paying acute attention to nascent local […]
By Qiana Thomason on March 13, 2020
President/CEO
Health Forward Foundation
As the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to sweep across the globe, we are witnessing its tremendous impact internationally, nationally, and locally. Prohibitions on travel from certain countries, state of emergency proclamations by state and local governments, universities moving to online courses, and major entertainment and sporting events are shutting its doors to the public. With […]
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 […]
