WASHINGTON, DC:Today, legislation introduced by Congresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02), H.R. 4067, was reported favorably out of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce by a 31-11 vote.

“In Eastern Kansas and across America, hospitals in rural communities are being forced to comply with a regulation that makes caring for patients more difficult, while providing no additional benefits,” saidCongresswoman Lynn Jenkins (KS-02). “H.R. 4067 bill will correct this problem by extending the direct supervision requirement moratorium through the end of 2014 and give rural hospitals the certainty they need to continue to provide efficient services to their communities.”

“This bill has already been approved by Unanimous Consent in the Senate,” said Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee Fred Upton (MI-06). “It would help ensure that patients – including Medicare patients – across the country, particularly in rural communities, have access to the health care they need.”

Background on H.R. 4067:

As of January 1, 2014, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) began enforcing a requirement that physicians must supervise outpatient therapy services at Critical Access Hospitals (CAHs) and other small, rural hospitals.  This means that routine outpatient procedures, such as drawing blood or undergoing activity therapy, must now be directly supervised by a physician.

There are over 1,300 CAHs that serve rural Americans in nearly every state, and these facilities simply lack the resources to fulfill this burdensome mandate. Physicians at rural hospitals have not been required to directly supervise these types of outpatient therapy in the past, and asking them to do so now provides no substantial benefits to patients, and at the same time jeopardizes access to care.

What They Are Saying:

The American Hospital Association: While hospitals recognize the need for direct supervision for certain outpatient services that pose high risk or are very complex, CMS’s policy generally applies to even the lowest risk services. Your bill would provide a needed delay in enforcement of the direct supervision policy through 2014 for critical access and small rural hospitals with fewer than 100 beds. Again, we are pleased to support this bill and applaud your commitment to America’s rural hospitals and health care providers.

Anderson County Hospital, Saint Luke’s Health System: In a clarification received from CMS in January, they further instructed us that hospital employed practitioners in hospital-based rural health clinics, even those that are located on the same campus and adjacent to the hospital, cannot meet the direct supervisions requirement for outpatient therapeutic services. This makes it nearly impossible for us to meet the supervision requirements. Although we have a full complement of staff that could provide direct supervision, the ability to use them to provide services is not in question. These requirements present a significant hardship and expense to rural hospitals and is in direct conflict to the Conditions of Participation for CAHs… Because of the implications of these rules and their interpretation on the provision of outpatient therapeutic services at our hospital and many others in rural settings, I ask for your support of H.R. 4067…

National Rural Health Association: The National Rural Health Association applauds your leadership in introducing H.R. 4067. This bill will provide for the extension of the enforcement instruction on supervision requirements for outpatient therapeutic services in critical access and small rural hospitals through 2014… We thank you for sponsoring this important legislation. You are truly a stalwart champion for rural America.

Hutch Post

HUTCHINSON, Kan. —  Passengers in Kansas who use Amtrak’s Southwest Chief had to wait….and wait…..and wait for the east

bound train to arrive Wednesday.

The L.A. to Chicago train ran more than 12 hours late after heavy rain forced BNSF crews to repair track near Raton New Mexico. The train normally arrives at 2:19 a.m. in Hutchinson. It arrived at 2:55 p.m.

The rain has caused other transportation problems. Union Pacific stopped running trains on the route through Hutchinson Wednesday because heavy rain flooded tracks in northeast New Mexico.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the floor of the U.S. House today, Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-01) announced his support for the “Veterans’ Access to Care through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act of 2014.”

This bill, of which Representative Huelskamp is a co-sponsor, would achieve much-needed reforms to the scandal-plagued Veterans Administration (VA). The agreement would achieve policies long-sought by Rep. Huelskamp including the expansion of non-VA healthcare access, extending the ARCH (Access Received Closer to Home) pilot program in Kansas, authorizing the VA to fire or demote bureaucrats for poor performance or misconduct, and reducing funding for VA bonuses available to VA employees by $40 million each year through FY 2024. Following his speech, Representative Huelskamp issued the following statement:
“As a member of the House Committee on Veterans Affairs, I have spent the better part of three years asking tough questions of the VA and demanding transparency, accountability, and more health care choices for our Veterans. The culture of non-accountability, retaliation, and intimidation we uncovered at the VA is shocking. The secret waiting lists and outrageous bonuses are unconscionable—and its impact on our Veterans unforgivable. With this bill, we can provide a solution to these problems by enhancing choice for our Veterans and increasing accountability of the VA.

“This bill begins the process of restoring the VA to its true mission to serve our Veterans. It includes common sense reforms I have long sought:
· Allowing Veterans in rural areas or who have waited on the VA for more than 30 days the option to stay in the VA system or receive their care closer to home.
· Issuing a “Veteran Choice Card,” not unlike Medicare, for Veterans to receive care in their local communities – a reform I proposed to the VA two years ago.
· Providing an extension of the ARCH pilot program, which has proved successful here in Kansas.
· Reducing the outlandish bonuses and the incentive to scheme the VA scheduling system.
· Creating an independent Commission to provide external accountability and expertise to impose necessary cultural change on the VA.
· Providing VA accountability by allowing for poor-performing bureaucrats to be punished or fired when they fail at their job.

“We are now on the road to passing the most important piece of legislation for rural Veteran care in recent decades. As this bill is implemented in the coming months and years, I will continue to fight for Kansas veterans and demand the VA treat our veterans with the respect and honor they deserve.”

FORT SCOTT, Kan. (AP) — A southeast Kansas college is looking for a new president after parting ways with the incumbent by what officials called mutual agreement.

The Fort Scott Tribune reports Clay Tatro had been the subject of a recent no-confidence vote by faculty of Fort Scott Community College.

Tatro was not present this week when the school’s board of trustees approved an agreement to end his presidency, which was scheduled to expire in June 2017. Tatro had served twice previously as the college’s president and was seven years into his latest term.

The college’s attorney said details of the termination agreement are confidential. The Tribune reports Tatro had a base salary of $104,000.

Trustee Dick Hedges gave up his seat on the board to serve as interim president.

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita police investigating the accidental shooting death of a 3-year-old boy have arrested his mother’s boyfriend on suspicion of criminal possession of a firearm.

The Wichita Eagle  reports investigators identified the child Wednesday as Jahmez Hunt.

Police said Jahmez apparently shot himself in the chest around 5 p.m. Tuesday after climbing onto a kitchen counter, getting on top of the refrigerator and reaching into a cabinet for a handgun.

The boy’s three young siblings were also in the home while the mother and her boyfriend were napping.

The 30-year-old boyfriend was arrested on suspicion of owning the gun despite having two previous criminal convictions. He was being held Wednesday on $5,000 while the investigation continued.

Police say the mother was unaware the gun was in the house.

In a news release Wednesday, $450 million Golden Plains Credit Union and $75 million Central Star Credit Union announced they intend to merge. The merger will provide expanded service offerings, additional locations and greater financial stability for both Golden Plains and Central Star Members.

Golden Plains Credit Union Member-President Erich Schaefer is excited to join Central Star Credit Union in serving members in the aircraft and chemical industries, and the greater Wichita community.  He also sees providing Golden Plains’ current 3,000 Sedgwick County members with three local offices as a tremendous benefit.

“Both Central Star and Golden Plains have a strong history of commitment to reach out to our field of membership and to provide superior value at every member contact,” Schaefer said.

The partnership will result in one of the strongest credit unions in the state, with a combined 15 branches, $525 million in assets and more than 70,900 members. The merger is expected to be completed this year.

“Golden Plains Credit Union is the ideal strategic partner for us,” stated Lee Williams, President/CEO of Central Star Credit Union.  “We explored multiple options for our membership’s future growth, and a partnership with Golden Plains was a win-win for all.”

Central Star Credit Union was established in 1940 and serves anyone who lives or works in Sedgwick, Butler, Harvey, McPherson, Saline or Sumner counties as well as employees of Beechcraft Corp. and OxyChem.

“Both credit unions offer strong financial services, our fields of membership will enhance one another and we share a common vision and value for our members, employees and our communities,” said Williams.

All three Central Star locations will remain in operation and will join the 12 Golden Plains’ locations throughout the state.

Golden Plains Credit Union has been in existence since 1951 and serves anyone who resides in Central, Western or Southeast Kansas, the Liberal trade area and members of the Friends of Lee Richardson Zoo.  GPCU has 170 employees and serves 62,200 members with 12 locations.  Offices are located in Garden City, Ulysses, Quinter, Phillipsburg, Liberal, Lakin, Hays, Hesston, Ellsworth, Parsons and Pittsburg.

“This is an exciting merger for Golden Plains and we’re thankful to be joining with the wonderful volunteers, staff and membership at Central Star Credit Union,” said Schaefer.

KIMBERLY HEFLING, AP Education Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Campus sexual assault victims are joining senators on Capitol Hill in announcing legislation designed to make colleges more accountable to rape victims.

EMPORIA, Kan. (AP) — Tea Party challenger Milton Wolfe confronted U.S. Senator Pat Roberts as he campaigned in downtown Emporia.

Their brief meeting Wednesday took place at an intersection as Roberts walked from business to business to talk with merchants. The two are squaring off in Tuesday’s Republican primary.

Wolfe told Roberts he wanted the senator to keep his promise to debate him. Roberts says he has no plans to debate Wolfe.

At their meeting on the street, Roberts told Wolfe it was not the time for the discussion and walked away as a small group of journalists and Wolfe supporters watched.

A Wolfe supporter shouted at Roberts, “If you can’t face Milton Wolfe, how can you face Obama?”

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas detention deputy has lost his job after being arrested for shoplifting.

KAKE-TV  reports Wichita police officers were called to a shoplifting report at a Walmart around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday. Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeff Easter says an off-duty detention deputy was arrested for the crime.

The sheriff says the man had been a detention deputy for less than a year but is no longer employed by the sheriff’s office.

The man was issued a notice to appear on the theft charge at a later date.