Hispanics on the Plains

Read this New York Times story the other day and thought it could have been written about Ark City. The headline is: As Small Towns Wither on Plains, Hispanics Come to the Rescue.

Hopsital finances

The new hospital is bleeding some red ink. It does sound like hospital's around the region are having revenue problems, as people use health services less a down economy. We also have lost a couple popular family doctors who make referrals to the hospital.

That said, the expectations for this new hospital, supported by tax payers, are very high. The image of a facility losing money after all the promises of better facility and more services will be hard to overcome.

It sounds like management is taking aggressive steps to cope with the shortfalls without compromising quality of care. They are also being very open about the issues and up front with the public. This will service them well.

The services themselves are not in question, at least not that I have heard, and it seems like the town has really embraced the new facility after some controversy over its location.

The great reconciliator

This seems like an odd thing for a governor to do. Kind of preacher-like, but Brownback is a pretty religious fellow. The next thing we know he'll be hiring Depok Chopra to spiritually advise us. More seriously, I agree with Brownback's sentiments on this and think the world would be a much better place if we followed this calling to heal human resentments. Of course it takes two to fully reconcile, although one person can reconcile their own feelings toward somebody, even if the other person remains estranged or resentful.

Wouldn't be a bad thing if the politicians in D.C. heeded this calling .....



Kan. governor proclaims 'Week of Reconciliation'

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Gov. Sam Brownback is calling on Kansans to seek and bestow forgiveness for past failures and wrongs as the holiday season approaches.

Brownback issued a proclamation Thursday declaring "A Week of Reconciliation" that runs through next Wednesday — the day before Thanksgiving.

The governor's proclamation describes reconciliation as "a powerful concept and tool in improving human relations." Brownback urges all citizens to contact anyone from whom they're estranged to be reconciled — "even if the other person has done most of the wrong."

City health costs

Wow. The city is seriously bucking the trend in heath insurance costs. While the rest of us are stilling seeing increases, the city of Ark City has a 9.2 percent DECREASE in premiums. They are getting some kind of longevity incentive for sticking with blue cross over several years. But it must also have to do with employees costing blue cross less.

In fact early reporting is that premiums aren't increasing as much this renewal period. Guess the health care reform haters will have to find another angle of attack.

Medicaid makeover

Gov. Brownback announced big changes in how Medicaid functions in Kansas, hoping to reduce the soaring cost AND at the same time improve the health of the people covered by it.

Courier story shows that local officials are uncertain on how it would affect their agencies - Vets Home, Developmentally Disabled, etc.

It contains some interesting goals of providing incentives for healthier behavior. The big structural change is contracting out the service to a managed care provider who has to meet cost and health outcome standards. The plan also intends to help the really sick Medicaid recipients receive more attention to help get them better and more integrated care, which could reduce the cost on the system.

This sounds like bringing more government involvement in the lives of medicaid recipients, the same thing Obama was criticized for in making changes to Medicaid and the health system as a whole.

The details of how this will all work are yet to come, but it does hold some promise if the goals of helping medicaid recipients get healthier and lowering the costs come to pass.

Mental Health praise

This sounds likethings are improving at the Mental Health Center, but the report hasn't been released yet. From public accounts, it appears most of the issue that lead the county commissioners to oust the board and then let the director go was internal, human resources-financial issues. Less so client services. But the general taxpaying public might never know exactly what spurred that drastic action, unless the authorities give a full account.

Pension perks

My story on the odd, some would say unfair, way that state legislators calculate their retirement benefits.

Does seem a bit contradictory at a time when they are preparing to cut back benefits for public employees.

I have to say that Kasha Kelley, who decided not to join KPERS when she was elected, deserves credit sacrificing that perk. The decision might be harder for someone of lessor means, however.

Here is Eagle editorial about the perks.