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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: December 8, 2015 Contact: Jennifer Sykes Phone: (816) 241-7006
Topeka, KS – Leaders of the state’s six major health foundations today sent a letter to Kansas legislators and the governor urging them to give KanCare expansion “serious consideration and an open debate,” pointing to new research that shows potential savings for the Kansas budget.
“The potential benefit to the state budget alone indicates that legislators can no longer afford to simply say ‘no’ to KanCare expansion. We call upon legislators to give KanCare expansion serious consideration and an open debate, allowing diverse opinions a chance to be heard in committee and on the chamber floors,” reads the letter signed by the six foundations, which comprise the Kansas Grantmakers in Health (KGIH).
The letter cited a new analysis by Manatt Health Solutions commissioned for KGIH that found with KanCare expansion and the favorable federal funding match offered, Kansas could expect to save much of what it currently spends for providing critical services to the uninsured, including up to:
The analysis concluded: “It appears that Kansas should be able to generate sufficient savings and revenue gains to cover the costs of expansion between 2016 and 2020 — in other words, expansion should be budget neutral. In fact, expansion may generate savings and new revenue in excess of the costs of expansion during this period.”
The letter from the foundations said the potential benefit to the state budget alone merited serious consideration of KanCare expansion. “Kansas’ severe and growing budget crisis recently prompted legislators to pay a consultant $2.6 million in hopes of finding more savings and efficiencies. Yet for two years, Kansas has ignored a policy decision that could be saving the state millions of dollars right now, while providing more than 150,000 uninsured Kansans health coverage: KanCare expansion,” the letter continues. “Many of the states that have embraced expansion are led by Republican governors and conservative legislatures. If they can find state-‐based solutions, so can Kansas.”
The full text of the letter from the foundations can be found on the Sunflower Foundation’s website.
The Kansas Grantmakers in Health is comprised of: Health Forward Foundation, Kansas Health Foundation, REACH Healthcare Foundation, Sunflower Foundation, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, and Wyandotte Health Foundation. More information on each continues below.
Media contacts For comment from individual foundations:
Health Forward Foundation Jennifer Sykes, Communications Officer jsykes@healthforward.org (816) 241-7006
Kansas Health Foundation Blythe Thomas, Vice President for Communication bthomas@khf.org (316) 491-8419
REACH Healthcare Foundation Pattie Mansur, Communications Director pattie@reachhealth.org (913) 432-4196
Sunflower Foundation Phil Cauthon, Director of Communications pcauthon@sunflowerfoundation.org (785) 232-3000
United Methodist Health Ministry Fund Kim Moore, President kmoore@healthfund.org (620) 662-8586
Wyandotte Health Foundation Cathy Harding, President and CEO charding@wyhealthfdn.org (913) 371-4031
For more information on the analysis by Manatt Health Solutions and the potential budget savings of KanCare expansion, the authors of the report are available for interviews:
Manatt Health Solutions Deborah Bachrach, Partner dbachrach@manatt.com (212) 790-4594
Cindy Mann, Partner cmann@manatt.com (202) 585-6572
For more information from a Kansas-based expert on the analysis by Manatt Health Solutions or on KanCare expansion contact:
Kansas Health Reform Resource Project Sheldon Weisgrau, Director (785) 550-7236 healthreformresource@gmail.com
About the Kansas Grantmakers in Health member foundations
Health Forward Foundation The Health Forward Foundation was established in 2002 to eliminate barriers and promote quality health care for the uninsured and underserved. The Kansas City, Mo.-based nonprofit’s service area includes Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas, and Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri. Grants are prioritized for programs and activities that make demonstrable improvements in health and health care for medically indigent and underserved populations. Learn more about the Health Forward Foundation
Kansas Health Foundation The Kansas Health Foundation was established in 1985 to improve the health of all Kansans. TheWichita‐based private philanthropy is guided by the belief that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. The foundation seeks opportunities to invest its resources in people and projects that meet its mission and create long-term, sustainable health improvements. Learn more about the Kansas Health Foundation
REACH Healthcare Foundation The REACH Healthcare Foundation was established in 2003 to improve access and quality of health care for poor and medically underserved individuals through financial support of programs and initiatives. The Merriam-based nonprofit focuses on three areas: oral health, mental health and safety net health services. Its service area includes Allen, Johnson and Wyandotte counties in Kansas; Cass, Jackson and Lafayette counties in Missouri, and the city of Kansas City, Missouri. Learn more about the REACH Healthcare Foundation
Sunflower Foundation The Sunflower Foundation was established in 2000 to serve as a catalyst for improving the health of Kansans. The Topeka-based nonprofit directs resources statewide toward helping people and communities achieve and maintain optimal health by improving access to health care, eliminating barriers, emphasizing prevention and promoting healthy environments that enable and support personal responsibility for health. Among other things, the foundation believes in treating others as we want to be treated and seeking solutions to the critical health issues facing Kansas. Learn more about the Sunflower Foundation
United Methodist Health Ministry Fund The United Methodist Health Ministry Fund was established in 1986 to advance health, healing, and wholeness throughout Kansas. The Hutchinson-based nonprofit focuses grants on three areas: healthy lifestyles for young children, social and emotional development of young children, and access to health care. Working on behalf of more than 600 United Methodist churches, it is dedicated to the extension of health, healing and wholeness to all people in all stations of life. Learn more about United Methodist Health Ministry Fund
Wyandotte Health Foundation The Wyandotte Health Foundation was established in 1997 to improve the health of Wyandotte County residents. The Kansas City, Kan.-based nonprofit focuses on enhancing access to primary care services for persons who are uninsured and underinsured, as well as supporting health prevention, intervention and education. Learn more about Wyandotte Health Foundation
