Save the Date

KAMU's Annual Primary Care Conference
September 24-26, 2008 Wichita

What's New

Annual Conference Focuses on Medical Homes

Dental Hub II Funding Will Expand Oral Health Access

KAMU Seeks New Staff

Leadership Program Taking Applications

State Provides $2.5 Million for Safety Net Clinics

KAMU Releases 2008 Legislative Agenda and White Paper

Dental Hub Grants Awarded to Clinics
Congratulations to nine KAMU member clinics on receiving 2008 Dental Hub Grants. The “Dental Hub II” grants represent the second round in a public/private initiative designed to increase the capacity of the state’s dental safety net.The awards were announced at a news conference in Wichita on July 23, held at GraceMed Health Clinic. The grants will support salaries, planning, expansion and administration. Clinic grantees are:

The Kansas Legislature appropriated $500,000 for the dental hub project again this year, repeating its 2007 allocation. Five foundations committed funds, bringing the total to $2.8 million: Kansas Health Foundation; United Methodist Health Ministry Fund; Sunflower Foundation: Health Care for Kansans; Delta Dental of Kansas Foundation; and REACH Healthcare Foundation.

KAMU also received a grant to administer the non-government portion of the awards.

Representatives of clinics that received grants gathered with foundation, state and other program partners at the news conference on July 23.

KAMU Seeks New Staff
Two positions are open at KAMU: Director of Clinic and Program Support and Director of Health Center and Business Relations. Please see the attached ads; for more information, contact Nikki Harrison at 785-233-8483.

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:

• Increased funding to clinics for providing direct care $1,645,000
• Safety net clinic workforce development $ 75,000
• Safety net clinic capital financing (grants) $ 700,000
• Non-federal safety net clinic technical assistance $ 80,000

• Expanded Medicaid coverage (including dental) to pregnant women earning between 150 and 200 percent FPL - $460,000
• Coordinated school health program (i.e., exercise and nutrition) - $550,000

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.

Leadership Program Still 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.

KAMU Releases 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.

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KAMU's 2008 Safety Net Clinic Directory