JULY 2011

REGIONAL NEWS

REACH Foundation to release grant application in August — The REACH Foundation will hold two pre-proposal conferences in August to provide information and answer questions about the upcoming competitive grant cycle, which includes Program and Core Operating Grants. Working under a new strategic plan, the foundation has made changes to grant categories, eligibility criteria and the application process.

Health Partnership Clinic receives $25,000 donation — Recently the physicians of Overland Park Regional Medical Center donated $25,000 to Health Partnership Clinic — a nonprofit clinic that is the largest safety net clinic in Johnson County and the only provider of free medical and dental care. Learn more>

KC Health Commission launches interactive process — The Kansas City Health Commission is seeking participants in a process to create a new Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP). The 2011 CHIP process is an interactive five-part series designed to help the Health Commission get citizen perspectives and input on the needs of the community and how services can be enhanced to better provide for, and improve the health of, community members and the city. See the invitation letter from Health Commission Chair Landon Rowland for more information.

Northland sees increased demand for services — Northland Health Care Access was recently featured in a Smithville Herald newspaper article about the increasing demand for safety net services.

Tri-County Mental Health to host gala — Tri-County Mental Health Services, Inc., will honor survivors and supporters in the battle with mental illness at its Phoenix Gala, to be held Aug. 22 at 6 p.m. at the Hilton Kansas City Airport, 8801 N.W. 112th St., Kansas City, Mo. Details and reservations>

STATE & NATIONAL NEWS

Kansas Insurance Department offers scholarships — Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger is seeking applicants for five $1,000 scholarships to be awarded to African-American students enrolled in Kansas universities or community colleges during the 2012 spring semester. The deadline for spring semester 2012 applications is Oct. 1, 2011. Learn more>

Joplin Child Trauma Treatment Center — Missouri Governor Jay Nixon recently announced the allocation of $2 million to establish the Joplin Child Trauma Treatment Center, which will provide critical mental health services to children and families impacted by the May 22 tornado. More>

Majority of Kansas counties face dental shortage — According to the Kansas Dental Project, 93 of Kansas' 105 counties face dental care provider shortages, and 13 have no dentist at all. Topeka Capitol-Journal article>

State Health Insurance Exchange Rules — U.S. Health Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Monday announced new federal regulations to guide states in setting up health insurance exchanges mandated under national health care reform. Kansas City Star article>

Employer fitness programs — Surprisingly, many corporate fitness programs are surviving budget cuts as employers find health and wellness can translate to cost savings. Washington Post article>

MO DSS Director leaving for St. Louis University — Ronald Levy, director of Missouri's Department of Social Services, has resigned effective July 31 to take a position with the St. Louis University School of Public Health. More>

Study demonstrates value of Medicaid — The National Bureau of Economic Research recently released a landmark study showing that expanding low-income adults' access to Medicaid substantially increases health care use, reduces financial strain on covered individuals, and improves their self-reported health and well-being.

What drives up Medicaid spending? — According to Healthwatch, volume, not cost, drives up Medicaid spending. States can achieve significant Medicaid savings by increasing access to primary-care doctors. Read more>