’s
February 5, 2016 edition
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
City Gives SCKMC Loan
KanCare Expansion Debated
The Arkansas City City Commission approved in a 4 to 1 vote on Tuesday to loan SCKMC $275,000. The loan will cover a shortfall for the 2016 interest payment on the general obligation bonds used to finance construction of the new hospital. A similar amount was loaned to the hospital in August to cover a shortfall in the 2015 principal payment. SCKMC officials had anticipated a $300,000 payment from CMS for successfully implementing electronic medical records into their patient care practices to arrive before the end of 2015. However, changes in the Federal program have delayed the payment which is now expected in early April. That money would have gone towards the bond payment. Since the initial loan, slower than anticipated returns on 2015 initiatives such as the 340B pharmacy program, sole community hospital status, and hospital based rural health clinic status, along with increasing account payables have had hospital administrators and Board of Trustees members expressing growing concerns towards the long term ability to make the payments. As a result, the hospital Board of Trustees approved a motion at their last meeting for SCKMC to approach the City Commission for permission to seek an additional sales tax for support of the bond debt service. There is currently a one-half cent sales tax in place through 2019. The sales tax raised approximately $850,000 in 2015 towards the $1.9 million annual payment. Hospital officials discussed the option of a second sales tax at the Commission meeting. It was determined that representatives from both organizations should meet within the next two weeks to review all options. Based upon the results of that meeting, a formal request for community support may be made at the next Commission meeting.
A grassroots effort urging legislature to expand healthcare coverage to low income Kansans is picking up speed across the State. The current program, KanCare, was a topic of discussion last month during Governor Brownback’s State of the State address. KanCare, the Kansas version of Medicaid, went into effect in 2013 as an alternative to the Federal Medicaid program and the Affordable Care Act. “Today, we have higher reimbursement rates for providers, more services for clients and, most importantly, we have better, measurable health outcomes for Kansans who participate in KanCare,” Governor Brownback said. However, rural hospitals in Kansas are struggling financially to compensate with losses in Federal aid resulting from the failure to expand KanCare. According to data released by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, SCKMC would benefit roughly $913,000 from expansion in 2016 alone. Proponents of expansion state that increased service would impact 7,000 people in Cowley County who currently live at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level ($27,724 annually for a family of three). Many of which do not currently qualify for KanCare or for subsidies in the Health Insurance Marketplace, and typically go uninsured. SCKMC has over $1 million in bad debt annually. Of that figure, 60% is attributed to uninsured patients. Brownback has stated that he is not in favor of expansion, but has said “We can and should find a Kansas solution that will improve rural healthcare access and outcomes.” The Kansas Hospital Association, who is one of the leading groups for expansion, agrees that Kansans will need to work together to close the coverage gap. The association released a response to Brownback’s address stating, “By providing this Kansas-specific solution (KanCare expansion), we also will support health care across the entire state, reducing the amount of uncompensated care for those providers who are currently taking care of our most vulnerable populations.” Governor Brownback has appointed Lt. Governor Dr. Jeff Colyer to assemble a working group to address the problems of health care delivery in rural Kansas and to present a proposal by early 2017.
February Employee of the Month Congratulations Rose Lolar, Ward Clerk for the Medical Surgical Unit, for being named the SCKMC Exceptional Service Award winner for February. Rose was nominated by her coworkers for her knowledge and support of all physicians and hospital staff. SCKMC is proud to have Rose as one of our most senior staff members, first starting with the hospital in 1975! Rose was presented with a certificate of appreciation by Med/Surg department manager Tracy Austin. Rose will also have a special parking spot reserved for her.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. Here are a few top selling drugs that are expected to go generic in 2016. People often feel going generic will save big, but do not expect big savings for these new generics: Crestor (rosuvastatin); Benicar (olmesartan); ProAir HFA (albuterol); and Zetia (ezetimbe).
Give the Gift of Health Consider a gift to the Medical Center. Your donation will benefit our community for decades to come. Giving to the hospital helps us continue to provide the best in medical care right here, close to home. We offer a number of approaches to support our programs. Gifting opportunities range from providing support to name a portion of the new facility, to providing funding that can assist in providing new equipment or sponsoring programs.
Call or visit us on-line and find out how you can share the gift of health.
We are 6401 Patterson Parkway, Arkansas City 6401 Patterson Parkway, Arkansas City
www.sckmc.org
(620) 442-2500