Governor talks health care at Menorah Medical Center
Sebelius says Legislature needs to act on health proposals this year

A visit to an award-winning hospital gave Governor Kathleen Sebelius an opportunity to talk health care today.

Sebelius was at Menorah Medical Center in Overland Park to honor the hospital for earning the Kansas Excellence Award, which is given by the Kansas Center for Performance Excellence to organizations demonstrating a commitment excellence and to continuous improvement. 

During the visit, Sebelius said the state is facing a health care crisis that limited the ability of many Kansans to access the kind of treatment available at Menorah.

“We have first-class hospitals and health providers all over the state, but it’s hard to take advantage of those providers if you don’t have health insurance,” Sebelius said, pointing out that one in ten Kansans has no health insurance.

Sebelius made coverage for all Kansans a goal during her 2007 State of the State address and said the national mood was shifting.

So far, the Legislature has not passed any health reform plans this year, and has even removed from the budget the Governor’s proposal to provide every Kansas child from birth to age five with health coverage.

The Kansas Health Policy Authority, which was created in 2005 to help guide state health policy, has endorsed Sebelius’ proposal to cover young Kansas children.

It also this week issued recommendations for several short-term goals for the state to pursue as it worked toward the long-term goal of full coverage.

The HPA’s short-term recommendations include assisting working Kansans, especially those with children, and pregnant mothers with the cost of insurance premiums.  It also called for stepped-up efforts to get Kansans who are eligible for Medicaid enrolled in the program, as well as increased use of technology and greater cost transparency.

Sebelius said it was important for legislators to act on these items this session.

“We have a health care crisis.  We have expert guidance on how to address that crisis.  The time for inaction is over,” Sebelius said.

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