AUGUST 2011

REGIONAL NEWS

The loss of a friend, Bill Kyles — by Scott Lakin, Regional Health Care Initiative director

The mental health community in the Kansas City metropolitan area, the state of Missouri and the nation lost a friend and advocate with the unexpected passing of Bill Kyles at his home in Lee's Summit, Mo., on Tuesday, Aug. 9.

Bill was the president and chief executive officer of Comprehensive Mental Health Services for the last 29 years. In May, the CMHS Board of Directors and staff members, along with the Independence Chamber of Commerce, formally dedicated their new administrative and treatment facility as the William H. Kyles Building.

As director of the Regional Health Care Initiative since March of this year, I had the pleasure to work with Bill and to get to know him over the past few months. Working with him as part of the Metropolitan Mental Health Stakeholders collaborative to help mental health providers was an honor. Learning from him about issues of great importance to those who need mental health services and the challenges providers face in delivering those services has been one of the best things about my job. Bill always took the time to explain what the needs were and what the history was behind the issue and he did it with patience and clarity to me and, I am sure, to many, many others during his life.

The thing I will miss most about Bill Kyles is that twinkle in his eye and his genuine enjoyment of people and of life.  He will be missed both as an individual and as an advocate. Bill had many friends and admirers.  His impact on the mental health community will be a lasting tribute to his life. It is our responsibility to make sure his impact continues through our own advocacy and work in the future on behalf of those with mental illness.

STATE & NATIONAL NEWS

Missouri's high-risk health insurance pool cuts rates by 23 percent — Missouri’s Department of Insurance, Financial Institutions and Professional Registration announced lower rates for new and existing insurance policyholders in the state’s high-risk insurance pool. The rate cut is designed to make the insurance pool more affordable. To be eligible for the pool, eople must be Missouri residents, have pre-existing medical conditions and be uninsured for six months. Learn more>

Many of the fastest-growing occupations are in health care — In an August 15 photo slideshow, the Washington Post featured the top 20 fastest growing occupations, about half of which are related to health care. The rankings are based on data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, which has projected job growth by occupation through 2018.

Advocacy needed: debt ceiling agreement could impact health care reform — According to Politico, the federal health care reform law could be affected — with cuts to at least 15 of its provisions — if Congress’ new supercommittee is unable to identify the spending cuts required under the recent debt ceiling agreement. Automatic across-the-board cuts could occur between 2013 and 2021, undermining the law’s goal of enhancing health care quality and access to health coverage.

GCEH annual Homelessness Awareness Day event scheduled — The Governor’s Committee to End Homelessness will host its annual Homelessness Awareness Day event on Thursday, Nov. 17, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the State Capitol Building in Jefferson City, Mo. The theme for this year’s event is “Missouri: Opening Doors to Our Communities.” The keynote speaker will be Derrith Watchman-Moore, regional administrator for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Region VII. More information>

Kansas returns $31.5 million federal grant — On Aug. 9, Gov. Sam Brownback announced that the state of Kansas would return a $31.5 million grant to the federal government that was awarded to help state officials create an insurance purchasing exchange required by federal health reform. More from the Kansas Health Institute>

State lawmakers consider swapping income tax for sales tax — According to an article in The Kansas City Star, some state legislators and activists are pushing a change that would phase out state income tax in Missouri and Kansas in exchange for higher, broad-based sales tax. Opponents argue this would shift more of the tax burden to those who can least afford it. Read more>

Comprehensive study looks at malpractice cases, results — Only about 20 percent of malpractice claims against doctors result in a payout, according to a comprehensive study of malpractice claims published by the New England Journal of Medicine. Read Kansas City Star coverage or review study data on the NEJM website.