By JIM MCLEAN

Facing increasing criticism from health care providers about recent cuts in Medicaid reimbursement rates, Gov. Sam Brownback said Wednesday that he will attempt to restore the cuts by increasing a tax on hospitals.

In a statement issued Wednesday afternoon, Brownback said he was forced in May to order a 4 percent cut in provider reimbursement rates after efforts to negotiate an increase in the surcharge failed. The cuts took effect in July.

“We will continue those efforts in the next legislative session,” he said. “I look forward to working with the Legislature to restore the 4 percent cut in reimbursement rates and will call on them to pass an increase in the provider tax.”

The $56.3 million reduction in Medicaid reimbursements was part of nearly $100 million in cuts that Brownback ordered to cover a projected deficit in the fiscal year 2017 budget.

Kansas is one of 49 states that levy provider assessments. The money generated by the assessments on hospitals, managed care organizations and nursing homes is used to draw down additional federal funds, which are used to increase reimbursements to providers who participate in KanCare, the state’s privatized Medicaid program.

Brownback is proposing to increase only the assessment on hospitals, which currently stands at 1.83 percent of their in-patient revenues. The tax now generates approximately $40 million, which is used to leverage another $60 million in federal matching funds. Federal law limits state assessments to 6 percent of revenue. Brownback didn’t specify how much of an increase he plans to propose.

The Brownback administration has attempted to negotiate provider tax increases to address budget problems twice before. In May 2015, State Budget Director Shawn Sullivan proposed an increase to help cover what was then a projected budget deficit of $400 million. That effort failed in the face of strong opposition from Kansas hospital administrators who said they only would be willing to discuss an increase if the money was used to fund Medicaid expansion.

The administration tried again the final weeks of the 2016 session. When those negotiations also failed to produce an agreement, Brownback said he had no choice but to order reductions in reimbursements paid to hospitals, nursing homes, doctors, pharmacists and mental health providers.

Tom Bell, president and chief executive of the Kansas Hospital Association, said his board seriously considered the proposal but rejected it because of Brownback’s refusal to consider KanCare expansion.

“Our board felt that at a time when we have seen one hospital close and others reducing services and staff it was inappropriate and unfair to balance the (state) budget on the backs of those providers and the people they serve,” Bell said, referring to the 2015 closure of Mercy Hospital in Independence in part because of the state’s rejection of Medicaid expansion.

A 2014 study commissioned by the hospital association found that expanding KanCare to cover more low-income adults would generate an additional $2.2 billion in federal funding, more than enough to cover the state’s share of the cost of expansion for the first five years.

A series of victories by moderate Republicans in the recent primary election have Medicaid expansion advocates hopeful they can get a plan through the Legislature and to Brownback’s desk.

Kansas is one of 19 states that have not expanded eligibility for Medicaid, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. The state’s rejection of expansion has so far cost the state more than $1.3 billion, according to the KHA.

Rep. Dan Hawkins, the Wichita Republican who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee, doesn’t support KanCare expansion but has made restoring the cuts to reimbursement rates a top priority.

“My first job when I come back will be to roll back those provider cuts,” Hawkins said. “We have to.”

But Hawkins disagrees with Brownback on how to do it. He’s focused instead on two alternatives to Brownback’s proposal:

• Raising taxes paid by the three private companies awarded state contracts to manage the $3.2 billion KanCare program.
• Or repealing the exemption given to more than 330,000 Kansas business owners as a part of the 2012 income tax cuts spearheaded by Brownback.

Brownback is opposed to rolling back any portion of the tax cuts because he believes they are spurring small-business growth. But Hawkins said he thinks the business exemption is “fair game.”

“If we can get that (repeal) passed, that’s money we could also put toward this problem,” he said.

Jim McLean is executive editor of KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.

 

WICHITA,– Two men were indicted Tuesday on federal charges of trying to smuggle more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine into Wichita, according to  Acting U.S. Attorney Tom Beall.

Hector Daniel Vazquez, 26 and Pedro Ruben Garibay, 28,  both of Wichita, are charged with one count of possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.

An affidavit filed in the case alleges that on Aug. 12, 2016, a deputy with the Clark County (Kansas) Sheriff’s Office stopped a gray 2016 Volkswagen Jetta in Minneola, Kan., for a traffic violation. The officer found a .40 caliber pistol and a black gym bag containing more than 22 pounds of methamphetamine in the car. When investigators learned the methamphetamine was to be delivered to buyers in Wichita, they set up a sting operation to deliver part of the shipment. In Wichita, Vazquez and Garibay were arrested when they met the load in the parking lot of a Super 8 Motel.

If convicted, the defendants face a penalty of up to 20 years in federal prison and a fine up to $1 million. Investigating agencies include the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Haysville Police Department, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland

Security Investigations, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the Wichita Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Mona Furst is prosecuting.

LYON COUNTY -Law enforcement authorities in Lyon County are investigating a stabbing and have identified a possible suspect.

Just after 9:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Emporia Police responded to an apartment at 1333 Merchant Street for a report of a man who had been cut, according to a media release.

After the initial investigation, Police learned 27-year-old Jeremiah Burkett of Emporia had been cut 3 times with a cutting-type instrument.

Burkett was transported by ambulance to Newman Regional Health.
Burkett and the suspect, a male acquaintance, were reportedly having an argument during a small gathering inside an apartment when Burkett was cut.

Police detectives are looking for 20-year-old Robert Hinojosa IV, a person of interest in the case.

Anyone with information about this crime is asked to call the Emporia Police Department at 620 343-4200 or Lyon County Crime Stoppers at 620 342-2273.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — A 42-year-old Kansas accountant faces nine years in prison for defrauding clients of more than $4 million.

Thomas Hauk, of Overland Park, Kansas, was sentenced Wednesday in federal court in Kansas City. He pleaded guilty earlier to federal fraud charges, stemming from thefts from a financial services company. The Kansas City Star reports the thefts took place for nearly a decade and were discovered in 2015.

Hauk used some of the money to buy expensive cars and motorcycles, which federal authorities seized and auctioned off, raising more than $1.4 million for restitution.

At Wednesday’s hearing, defense attorney Erin Thompson asked the judge to deviate from sentencing guidelines and impose a less severe sentence.

But Senior U.S. District Judge Howard Sachs said nine years “is well-justified in this case.”

TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Kansas’ Health Care Commission has made changes that will lead to higher premiums, copayments and some deductibles for state employees as officials try to increase cash reserves for its employee health plan next year.

The Wichita Eagle reports that the health plan’s cash reserves are below a $59 million target and the goal is to increase the funds back to that level over the next two years.

The state will increase its employer premium rate by 7 percent and its employee premium rate by about 9 percent.

The Kansas Organization of State Employees has criticized the changes, citing that state workers will pay more and get worse benefits.

SALINE COUNTY – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a suspect in connection with an alleged case of road rage.

Joe Godbout, 55, Salina, was westbound on Magnolia Road and had exited onto the southbound ramp of Interstate 135, along with a car driven by 31-year-old Mark Biggs, according to Police Captain Mike Sweeney

Godbout reportedly was upset with how Biggs was driving, pulled along side his vehicle, and pointed a handgun at him, according to Sweeney.

Biggs was able to get the tag number from Godbout’s pickup.

Officers located him a short time later and placed him under arrest.

Godbout was booked into the Saline County Jail on a requested charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.

Police say the gun used in the incident has not been recovered.

GARDEN CITY, Kan. (AP) — Authorities have dismissed child pornography charges against a former teacher but the investigation is continuing.

Finney County authorities said Wednesday that three counts of sexual exploitation of a child filed in January against Steven Thompson were dismissed. KAKE-TV reports assistant county attorney William Votypka says if the ongoing investigation discovers more evidence, authorities wouldn’t be able to pursue those charges if they are still prosecuting the original case.

The investigation began while Thompson while working at Garden City Community College. Authorities say they found child pornography on his work computer, another computer, and other devices.

Thompson was hired in April 2015 by the Wichita school district. His background check didn’t indicate his legal problems because he hadn’t been charged when he was hired in Wichita.

MANHATTAN -The Manhattan City Commission unanimously approved an ordinance adding sexual orientation and gender identity to the city’s anti-discrimination policy, according to minutes from Tuesday night’s meeting.

Under the ordinance it is unlawful for the city, landlords and others to discriminate against LGBT individuals.

Those who violate the ordinance can face fines of up to $500.

Riley County Police Department Director Brad Schoen requested an exemption to the ordinance.

Following a 3-2 vote, the commission approved an amendment that would exempt the RCPD.

Kansas State University, other state and federal offices are also covered by their own policies.

In July 2015, then Manhattan Mayor Karen McCulloh proposed legislation to include sexual orientation to the list of classes that the City will not discriminate against.

The new ordinance will go into effect November 1.

Office of Senator Jerry Moran

MANHATTAN, Kan. – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Appropriations Defense Subcommittee, issued a statement following the Obama Administration’s largest single release of detainees from Guantanamo Bay, Cuba (GITMO):

“The White House is yet again displaying a disturbing lack of judgment and transparency with the largest single release of GITMO detainees during President Obama’s time in office,” Sen. Moran said. “I have pushed to strengthen oversight of the Periodic Review Board – that determines the transfer of GITMO detainees – and to bolster congressional authorization before releasing detainee terrorists who pose a threat to the security of the United States and its citizens. This administration and foreign countries have lost track of numerous detainees, which escalates the risk for our military men and women if the detainees return to the battlefield. I am staunchly opposed to closing the detention facility and will continue working to keep the remaining 61 detainees at GITMO.”

The Obama Administration has been rapidly transferring detainees from GITMO since 2010. GITMO detainees, such as Ibrahim al-Qosi who is a spokesman and recruiter for al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and Muhammad Salih Husayn al-Shaykh who has pledged to kill as many Americans as possible, continue to return to terrorism. The total reengagement rate of GITMO detainees returning to the battlefield is now at more than 30 percent.

Background
Sen. Moran has long advocated against relocating Guantanamo Bay detainees, works to uphold current law by sponsoring multiple amendments to the National Defense Authorization Act and sponsors the following legislation:

The Protections Against Terrorist Transfer Act of 2016 (S. 2780) to strengthen the certification requirements relating to the transfer or release of detainees at United States Naval Station, Guantanamo Bay, Cuba;
The Detainee Transfer Transparency Act (S. 2788) to make available to the public the intended transfer or release of detainees held at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, at least 21 days in advance;
The Detaining Terrorists to Protect America Act (S. 165) to prohibit the transfer to the United States of detainees designated medium- or high-risk for two years and ban transfers to Yemen, where dozens of the remaining Guantanamo detainees are from; and
S. 2559 to prevent President Obama from giving GITMO back to Cuba without proper Congressional approval.
Additionally, Sen. Moran introduced a Senate Resolution to detain Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) fighters at GITMO

 

WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A plea hearing date has been changed for a woman accused of giving her former boyfriend guns that he used in a shooting at a Excel Industries in Hesston.

The Wichita Eagle reports that 28-year-old Sarah Jo Hopkins pleaded not guilty in March to one count of transferring weapons to a prohibited person. A notation in her case file indicates she plans to change her plea. She had been scheduled to do so Friday, but her hearing is now set for Sept. 8 in federal court in Wichita.

She is accused of giving Cedric Ford a semi-automatic rifle and a .40-caliber handgun that he used in the Feb. 25 attack in Hesston. Four people were killed, including Ford, and 14 others were injured.