Recently, two federal programs that provide loan repayment to providers in Kansas working in underserved areas obtained enhanced federal funding, the National Health Service Corps (NHSC) Loan Repayment Program and the Kansas State Loan Repayment Program.

The Health Care Coalition of Lafayette County (HCC) has been developing the parameters of a county-wide health insurance co-op for the past two years. During the research phase of the program, we were able to determine that nearly 8% of our county was uninsured and that more small businesses were being forced to cut their benefits because of the rising cost of health insurance.

Recently there has been a swarm of press surrounding the issue of health insurance reform. This issue is the subject of one of the most contentious debates this decade, attracting hordes of voters (both for and against) to town-hall meetings and other events. Republicans seem stubbornly opposed to any reform of any type, despite their public statements that they wish to compromise. Throughout this debate, Blue Dog Democrats have been trying to put the brakes on reform in various ways, trying to please both conservative and progressive voters in their home districts.

One cannot avoid the healthcare reform debate going on in America today. Without a doubt, our healthcare delivery and payment system needs reform on multi-levels but it is important to deal with the facts and work to dispel misconceptions in healthcare.

By Suzanne Wilke
New federal dollars for the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) - combined with a renewed commitment to children's health care by Kansas lawmakers - has put Kansas on the road to insuring more kids. Right now,at least 58,000 children in the Sunflower State are growing up without health coverage. Two-thirds of those children are eligible but not enrolled in HealthWave (our state's Medicaid and CHIP program). It's a trend that's common in states across the country.

By Charron Townsend

When it comes to improving health care access and other goals for children, Missouri’s recent legislative session can be summed up as small victories amid big disappointments. After an election year filled with campaign rhetoric about helping children, it appears that most promises went unfulfilled.

By Susan Lacey, RN, PhD, FAAN

There is no doubt that the financial crisis has translated into millions of lost jobs, home foreclosures as well as a sense of frustration and uncertainty that is clouding almost everything we do.