By Sarah Green
KHI News Service
TOPEKA, April 4
The third advisory council to the Kansas Health Policy Authority”s Health for All Kansans steering committee met Wednesday, one of the first steps in a six-month process aimed at developing a comprehensive health care reform plan for the state.
It was the first meeting of the Advisory Council for Providers, made up of representatives of small and large hospitals, safety net clinics, public health organizations, nursing homes and other groups that provide health care services. Two other advisory councils, one for purchasers and the other for consumers, met last week.
Health Policy Authority Executive Director Marcia Nielsen explained to the group the purpose of the
steering committee and advisory councils
and their goal: To provide collaboration and input on health reform options to be presented to the Legislature for consideration in the 2008 legislative session.
“That process is why you”re here,” Nielsen said. Health policy authority staff will present the options from the steering committee and advisory councils to the authority”s board on Nov. 1.
The health policy authority formed the advisory councils to get as much input as possible from the stakeholders in health reform, Nielsen said. All options are up for debate.
Karla Finnell, executive director of the Kansas Association for the Medically Underserved and a member of the advisory council, said collaboration between the stakeholders would be beneficial.
“We don’t get paid for the product we provide if it doesn’t work
for the consumer,” she said.
The provider council”s chairwoman is Janet Williams, president of Community Works, Inc., an Overland Park-based community-based program for individuals with disabilities. Members of the council are Susan Bumsted of Wichita; Kara Bell Fiske of Salina; Dr. K. Allen Greiner of Kansas City, Kan.; David Johnson of Lawrence; Terry Lambert of Emporia; William Mahoney of Parsons; Dr. Bert Oettmeier of Leawood; Linda Wright of Olathe; Dr. Kevin Hoppock and Randy Peterson of Wichita; and Karla Finnell, Dr. Richard Meidinger, Elaine Schwartz and Peter Stern, all of Topeka.
The council agreed to the following meeting dates:
* May 2
* June 27
* July 31
* Aug. 15
* Sept. 12
* Oct. 10 (tentative)
-Sarah Green is a staff writer for KHI News Service, which specializes in coverage of health issues facing Kansans. She can be reached at
sgreen@khi.org
or at 785-233-5443, ext. 118.