’s
March 31, 2017
The Pulse
Your regular check up on SCKMC activities Share your thoughts, story ideas, and comments by e-mail to claytonp@sckrmc.org.
Expansion Vetoed by Brownback KanCare, the State of Kansas’s version of Medicaid has been the center of an on-going battle between healthcare proponents and staunch Republican opposition. The debate entered what could be it’s final stages this week as Governor Sam Brownback vetoed the expansion bill. Brownback’s Communication Director, Melika Willoughby reinforced the Governor’s stance in a statement released during Senate debate. “Kansas must prioritize the care and service of vulnerable Kansans, addressing their health care needs in a sustainable way, not expanding a failing entitlement program to ablebodied adults,” Willoughby said. Brownback has publicly opposed program expansion despite growing support for the bill on all levels. Recent public opinion polls have shown support for expansion to be as high as 82%, while the House approved the bill with an 81-44 vote and the Senate passed it 25-14. Despite the strong support, both Democrats and Republicans anticipated the bill would be vetoed by the Governor. Supporters now need three more votes in the House and two in the Senate to override Brownback. The House vote is expected to take place April 3rd. State-wide approximately 150,000 Kansans, 7,000 in Cowley County alone, would become eligible for KanCare if the program were to be expanded. Many of these people fall into what the Kansas Hospital Association calls 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. Should expansion pass, Kansas would become eligible to receive Federal funds that would cover no less 90% of the cost of expansion. Funds that would help to reimburse providers for services already being delivered to uninsured patients. SCKMC estimates expansion could increase the reimbursement they receive by $1.7 to $2 million annually. Hospital CEO, Virgil Watson addressed the State House in January to share the medical center’s story. “Our facility is fortunate to have an extremely supportive community which has rallied to our financial need through the approval of a one-percent sales tax, generating roughly $1.6 million for our facility’s debt service. This tax would most likely not have been needed had KanCare been expanded. However without expansion the financial assistance we need, that would have been provided Federally, has fallen on the shoulders of our local citizens,” Watson said.
SCKMC Auxiliary Preps for Bake Sale If you are worried about what to make for dessert at your Easter dinner, the SCKMC Auxiliary has you covered. The men and women of the Auxiliary are preparing to make dozens of cakes, cookies, pies, and a variety of other sweet treats to sale during their annual Good Friday bake sale. This year’s event will take place on April 14th in the hospital lobby beginning at 7:00 a.m. The bake sale is one of the Auxiliary’s largest fundraisers of the year, with the proceeds benefiting hospital equipment purchases.
County Health/Safety Fair This Saturday The annual Cowley County Health & Safety Fair will be held this Saturday, April 1st at the Agri-Business Building in Ark City from 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. SCKMC will be among the 45 exhibitors providing a variety of wellness information. This free event will include live demonstrations, safety checks, health screenings, and interactive exhibits. New for this year are motorcycle and ATV safety demonstrations as well as information about how to prepare for and what to do should when faced with an emergency situation. “The annual Health and Safety Fair is the single best occasion for Cowley County families to come out and learn about all the wonderful opportunities available to them in our communities. It’s a fun and rewarding way to spend a Saturday morning, we hope to see lots of people there,” said Tom Langer, of the City-Cowley County Health Department. For more information about this event visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/CowleyCountyHealthFair.
The Pharm Forum with Homer Mah, D.Ph. Removing earwax can be difficult at times and may cause injury if not careful. It is usually better to leave earwax alone unless it is causing problems. Cleaning too much can cause irritation, infection, or wax impaction. If wax needs to be removed, try using Debrox, hydrogen peroxide, olive oil, docusate liquid, or water. In many cases, place about 5 to 10 drops into the ear canal and wait 15 minutes. If necessary, using a soft rubber bulb with warm water helps with removing any remaining wax.