|
|
Save the Date |
What's New State Provides $2.5 Million for Safety Net Clinics Dental Hub Funding to Be Announced in June Leadership Program Now Taking Applications Dental Hub Proposals Due May 5 KAMU Releases 2008 Legislative Agenda and White Paper KAMU
and Member Clinics Take Part in Clinics
Receive Almost $2.5 Million State Provides $2.5 Million for Safety Net Clinics On May 7, both houses of the Kansas Legislature voted overwhelmingly for the omnibus appropriations bill, which contained $2.5 million for safety net clinics. This new state support is specifically targeted for:
The appropriation for safety net clinics was the third largest State General Fund appropriation of the omnibus budget bill. In addition to the omnibus funding, the safety net clinics received an appropriation of $5,270,840 (which includes $500,000 for a second year of state dental hub grants) in the “mega bill,” the large budget bill passed earlier in the session. Together, State General Fund Support for the primary care safety net clinics of Kansas in State Fiscal Year 2009 will be $7,770,840, an increase of 47 percent over SFY 2008. Four years ago (SFY 2005), total State General Fund Support for primary care safety net clinics was only $1,520,840. KAMU and its member clinics are grateful to the following state legislators, who played key roles in supporting the safety net clinics this session. Senators: Jim Barnett, Pete Brungardt, Jay Emler, David Haley, Laura Kelly, Steve Morris, Derek Schmidt, Vickie Schmidt, Dwayne Umbarger and Susan Wagle. Representatives : Barbara Ballard, Bob Bethell, Jeff Colyer, David Crum, Bill Feuerborn, Geraldine Flaharty, Jerry Henry, Brenda Landwehr, Peggy Mast, Melvin Neufeld, Marc Rhoades and Sharon Schwartz. Dental Hub Funding to Be Announced in June For a second year, public and private funders have collaborated to expand access to oral health services for underserved Kansans. Through the outstanding efforts and commitment of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, Sunflower Foundation: Healthcare for Kansans, Kansas Health Foundation, Delta Dental Foundation of Kansas, REACH Healthcare Foundation, and Kansas Office of Primary Care (KDHE), a minimum of $1.8 million will be available for up to three years of funding. Proposals from safety net clinics are now being reviewed, and grants will be announced in June. For information contact Jane Faubion, 785-233-8483.Leadership Program Now Taking Applications Do you know someone who has the talent, skill and passion to lead a community health center or safety net clinic? The Community Health Center Executive Fellowship program is now taking applications for the 2008-09 class, which begins this October. The year-long, online course prepares individuals for executive and senior management positions in Community Health Centers. It is offered by the University of Kansas Medical Center, in collaboration with KAMU and the Greater Midwest Association of Primary Health Care. Application deadline is July 15. For details, visit the Web site or see the brochure. Dental Hub Proposals Due May 5 KAMU has released the Request for Proposals for the second round of Dental Hub funding. Please see the RFP, cover page, work plan template and separate budget form. Again this year, public and private funders have collaborated to expand access to oral health services for underserved Kansans. Through the outstanding efforts and commitment of United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, Sunflower Foundation: Healthcare for Kansans, Kansas Health Foundation, Delta Dental Foundation of Kansas, REACH Healthcare Foundation, and Kansas Office of Primary Care (KDHE), a minimum of $1.8 million will be available for up to three years of funding. For more information, contact Jane Faubion, 785-233-8483. KAMU Releases 2008 Legislative Agenda and White Paper On Feb. 12, representatives from 20 safety net clinics met at the Capitol for KAMU’s Legislative Day. As part of this advocacy event, KAMU held a press conference to introduce its 2008 legislative agenda and new white paper, titled “Building Medical Homes: A Strategy for Improving Health Care Quality, Reducing Cost, and Enhancing Access.” Senator Jim Barnett and Representative Bob Bethell, two champions of the safety net, were guest speakers at the press conference. Sen. Barnett spoke on the role of the safety net in health reform, while Rep. Bethell discussed the importance of supporting expanded infrastructure for the clinics. A short broadcast segment is posted at KSNT-27 and a story is available at Kansas Health Institute’s site. As the legislative session unfolds, we will notify members of actions related to our enhanced state support for the safety net clinics. KAMU and Member Clinics Take Part in HPV Vaccine Project KAMU is taking part in a program initiated by two foundations to reduce the incidence of cervical cancer in women. The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and REACH Healthcare Foundation have made grants totaling $2.5 million to provide the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine voluntarily for qualified females in Kansas and Missouri. Community and public health programs are distributing the vaccine at no cost to eligible females. In partnership with the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, KAMU is serving as the fiscal agent for this project, working with the Kansas sites where the vaccine is being distributed. For more information about the HPV project, visit www.healthcare4kc.org and www.reachhealth.org. Public/Private Collaboration Creates Innovative Dental “Hub” Program There is good news for Kansans who have trouble affording dental care. With the help of the Dental Hub Grant program, eight safety net clinics will expand oral health services for Kansans across the state. The State and five private foundations are funding this innovative dental “hub and spoke” program with combined funds of almost $2.5 million. Congratulations to these clinics, which were selected in a competitive process to receive the grants:
Partners in oral health: At the Aug. 17 press conference to announce Dental Hub grant recipients, state and private partners celebrated with clinic representatives. To learn more about dental hubs and spokes, listen to Kansas Public Radio’s Bryan Thompson.
|
 |
||
|
|
|
 |
||
Winter issue: |
KAMU Whitepaper |
