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Date: March 13, 2013 Contact: Jennifer Sykes Phone: 816-241-7006 The Health Forward Foundation has contributed $120,000 to support Question 1 to renew the Kansas City, Missouri Health Levy.
On April 2, 2013, Kansas City voters will have the opportunity to approve Question 1, which will renew the approximately one-third of Kansas City’s Health Levy that is set to expire in 2014. Funds from this portion of the health levy help offset the costs of serving uninsured and underinsured patients, a function integral to the mission of the Health Care Foundation.
“Health Forward’s mission is to provide leadership, advocacy, and resources that eliminate barriers to health for the uninsured and underserved. The health levy offers a similar mission and provides a much-needed funding stream to further meet the increased level of health care need in our community,” said Health Forward President/CEO Steve Roling.
“Even IF Missouri expands Medicaid, we know that there will be ambiguity and growing pains as our current health care system evolves into the new marketplace envisioned by the Affordable Care Act. As a result, health levy funds are needed to assure a vital safety net for the city’s most vulnerable during this uncertain transition period.”
Specifically, the 22 cent renewal will support ambulance services, emergency medical services, and hospital and public health purposes for the next nine years. Currently, Kansas City’s safety net health care providers deliver more than $130 million dollars in uncompensated health care services each year. This portion of the health levy generates approximately $15 million per year to cover a small portion of those costs. Last year, this portion of the levy helped pay for more than 140,000 health care visits.
