’s
February 3, 2017
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Watson to Speak in Topeka
Artwork Donated to SCKMC
SCKMC has partnered with the Kansas Hospital Association, healthcare providers, and hospitals from across the State to move forward with efforts to expand KanCare, the program through which the State of Kansas administers Medicaid. Legislation to expand KanCare, named “The Bridge to a Healthy Kansas,” has been introduced at the State level. On February 8, Chairman Daniel Hawkins and members of the Health and Human Services committee will be hearing arguments and testimonies on how expanding KanCare will benefit the state. SCKMC Chief Executive Officer Virgil Watson has been asked to participate by providing his own testimony to the committee, explaining how KanCare expansion could benefit the medical center. “Over 7,000 of our friends, neighbors, and coworkers currently qualify for KanCare or fall within the coverage gap. Those caught within the gap earn too much to qualify for KanCare but too little to be eligible to get financial help to buy private insurance. Without regular care, the uninsured often wait until their health concerns reach the point of needing emergency care, which comes at a higher cost to all of us,” Watson said. State-wide approximately 150,000 Kansans would become eligible for KanCare if the program was expanded, an idea which was strongly supported by a survey conducted in December 2016. Of the 500 registered voters who were surveyed, 82 percent said they favor expansion. This demonstrates a 10-point increase in support for KanCare Expansion since a similar poll was conducted in 2013. American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network commissioned the survey and issued the following statement: “Kansas has forfeited more than $1.6 billion in federal funds since 2014 – real money that can help people get and stay healthy. The time has come for the Kansas Legislature to expand Medicaid so that our hardworking neighbors can access life-saving care.” Locally the reimbursement provided through KanCare would make a significant difference to the hospital’s bottom line. The facility has faced financial difficulties for several years, with 2010 being the last time SCKMC made a profit. “The Bridge to a Healthy Kansas Bill has been estimated to increase our annual reimbursements between $1.7 and $2 million. Keep in mind these dollars would go to compensate our facility for services already being provided to these patients, with a significant portion currently being written off to either charity care or bad debt,” Watson said.
Brett Von Martin, a lifelong Arkansas City resident, donated an original art piece to the medical center during last week’s Board of Trustee’s meeting. The black and white ink illustration is a graphic representation of a Native American. Mr. Martin donated the artwork on behalf of his parents, Gary and Sheryl Martin. “I gave (the artwork) to my folks for Christmas one year and they had it hanging in their front room for a lot of years until they passed away. I thought well I might as well see if someone would like to have it, and I thought about the hospital. I feel like I owe them. I was born at Memorial Hospital. And then when my Oldsmobile took a nosedive on me one time, I shattered my pelvis and broke my back in a couple of places, they kept me alive until I went off to Wesley. I thought this was the least I could do,” Martin said. Pictured: SCKMC Board Chairperson Carol Hearne accepts Mr. Martin’s donation during the January Board meeting.
February Employee of the Month Congratulations Derek Maxwell, ER Tech, for being named the SCKMC Exceptional Service Award winner for February. Derek was nominated by multiple patients for being comforting, understanding, and respectful while providing care. Derek was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Emergency Department Manager Bonnie Schieber and will also have a special parking spot reserved for him throughout the month. Great job Derek!
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. The FDA has recently discovered inconsistent amounts of belladonna in homeopathic teething products and may pose an unnecessary risk to infants and children. They urge parents not to use teething products marketed by Hyland. At this point, no recall has been issued for this product. Homeopathic teething products have not been evaluated by the FDA and they are unaware of any proven health benefit from using these products.
Keep stomach acid where it belongs.
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We are 6401 Patterson Parkway, Arkansas City 6401 Patterson Parkway, Arkansas City
www.sckmc.org
(620) 442-2500