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Year: 2019

Boil order for Smith Co. community rescinded by KDHE

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TOPEKA – The Kansas Department of Health and Environment has rescinded a boil water advisory for the Smith County Rural Water District No.1 for all services west of M Road including the city of Athol. The advisory was issued because of a loss of pressure. Failure to maintain adequate pressure may result in a loss of chlorine residuals and bacterial contamination.

Public water suppliers in Kansas take all measures necessary to notify customers quickly after a system failure or shutdown. Regardless of whether it’s the supplier or KDHE that announces a boil water advisory, KDHE will issue the rescind order following testing at a certified laboratory.

Laboratory testing samples collected from the Smith County Rural Water District No. 1 indicate no evidence of bacteriological contamination and all other conditions that placed the system at risk of contamination are deemed by KDHE officials to be resolved.

For consumer questions, please contact the water system or you may call KDHE at 785-296-5514.

— KDHE

HPD Activity Log Aug. 26-Sept. 2

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The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 16 traffic stops Mon., Aug. 26, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–3800 block Vine St, Hays; 3:48 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block W 16th St, Hays; 7:55 AM
Battery on LEO–2700 block Fort St, Hays; 8:07 AM
Welfare Check–Hays; 9:13 AM
Civil Dispute–2900 block Walnut St, Hays; 10:58 AM
Search Warrant–100 block E 19th St, Hays; 11:11 AM; 11:38 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 11:12 AM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Schwaller Ave, Hays; 11:37 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 12:16 PM
Violation of Restraining Order/PFA–1300 block Steven Dr, Hays; 12:26 PM
Probation/Parole Violation–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 1:54 PM
Animal At Large–1100 block Vine St, Hays; 1:59 PM
Drug Offenses–1300 block Antonino Rd, Hays; 3:22 PM
Probation/Parole Violation–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 5:08 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 6:53 PM; 6:55 PM
Found/Lost Property–1300 block Vine St, Hays; 8 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–100 block E 5th St, Hays; 8:54 PM
Missing Person–Hays; 8:59 PM
Fireworks Violation–3500 block Lincoln Dr, Hays; 11:15 PM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 11:39 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1300 block Kansas Highway 264, Larned; 11:50 PM
Suspicious Person–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 1:01 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Tue., Aug. 27, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Disturbance – Noise–1900 block Whittier Rd, Hays; 12:27 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 22nd, Hays; 2:16 AM
Suspicious Activity–400 block W 27th St, Hays; 2:49 AM
Water Use Violation–100 block E 13th St, Hays; 5:09 AM
Theft (general)–4600 block Roth Ave, Hays; 8/26 9 PM; 8/27 7 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–100 block W 9th St, Hays; 8:07 AM
Dead Animal Call–13th St and Canterbury Dr, Hays; 8:45 AM
Civil Dispute–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 9:10 AM
Harassment, Telephone/FAX–200 block Northridge Dr, Hays; 8/26 5 PM; 5:30 PM
Animal Call–2500 block Gen Hancock Rd, Hays; 11:31 AM
Civil Dispute–200 block E 6th St, Hays; 11:31 AM
Drug Offenses–400 block E 5th St, Hays; 1:58 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–400 block Ash St, Hays; 3:25 PM
Harassment (All Other)–200 block E 28th St, Hays; 3:35 PM
Animal At Large–2000 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 4:59 PM
Animal Call–6th and Riley, Hays; 5:03 PM
(HPD)–2400 block Walnut St, Hays; 5:21 PM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 6:34 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 6:39 PM
Found/Lost Property–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 7:21 PM
Mental Health Call–2900 block Vine St, Hays; 7:34 PM
Theft (general)–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 7:55 PM
Suspicious Activity–200 block W 26th St, Hays; 8:25 PM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 8:35 PM
Suspicious Activity–2000 block Vine St, Hays; 11:44 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 12 animal calls and conducted 40 traffic stops Wed., Aug. 28, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Animal At Large–12th St and Milner St, Hays; 8:19 AM
Battery – simple–1700 block Volga Dr, Hays; 8:28 AM
Found/Lost Property–10th and Main, Hays; 9:23 AM
Animal At Large–1900 block Holmes Rd, Hays; 10:40 AM
Animal Call–2600 block Augusta Ln, Hays; 11:36 AM
Unlawful Use of Weapon–200 block W 36th St, Hays; 1:06 PM
Juvenile Complaint–200 block W 29th St, Hays; 2:06 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2300 block E 13th St, Hays; 7:30 AM; 3:44 PM
Harassment (All Other)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 4:04 PM
Welfare Check–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 4:28:58 PM
Dead Animal Call–27th and Halls, Hays; 5:23 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–600 block E 15th St, Hays; 6:08 PM
Theft (general)–1400 block E 29th St, Hays; 7/26 8 PM; 9:30 PM
Drug Offenses–Hays; 7:32 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–100 block E 14th St, Hays; 10:57 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 7 animal calls and conducted 31 traffic stops Thu., Aug. 29, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Suspicious Person–100 block E 7th St, Hays; 12:05 AM
Found/Lost Property–3600 block Vine St, Hays; 7:27 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–1200 block Donald Dr, Hays; 7:25 AM
Animal Call–41st and Hall, Hays; 8:32 AM
Found/Lost Property–2300 block Fort St, Hays; 9:10 AM
Animal Cruelty/Neglect–2300 block E 15th St, Hays; 9:43 AM
Found/Lost Property–1100 block E 13th St, Hays; 10:52 AM
Water Use Violation–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 12:44 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–1700 block Agnes Dr, Hays; 8/28 9:14 PM; 8/29 7:44 AM
Civil Dispute–100 block E 24th St, Hays; 12:53 PM
Theft (general)–700 block W 12th St, Hays; 1:17 PM
Animal At Large–3400 block Vine St, Hays; 1:51 PM
Theft (general)–100 block W 17th St, Hays; 8:58 AM; 8:59 AM
MV Accident-City Street/Alley–7th and Elm, Hays; 3:11 PM
Animal At Large–200 block W 3rd St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Civil Dispute–400 block E 7th St, Hays; 3:24 PM
Welfare Check–200 block Ash St, Hays; 4:17 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 4:43 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–13th and Vine, Hays; 5:02 AM; 5:32 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 5:39 PM
Disturbance – Fight–200 block Circle Dr, Hays; 6:08 PM
Dead Animal Call–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 6:06 PM
Alarm – Business–1100 block E 27th St, Hays; 6:46 PM
Burglary/residence–300 block E 5th St, Hays; 6:51 PM
Intoxicated Subject–1000 block Elm St, Hays; 9:46 PM
Drug Offenses–300 block E 6th St, Hays; 8/29 11:49 PM; 8/30 1:49 AM

The Hays Police Department responded to 10 animal calls and conducted 33 traffic stops Fri., Aug. 30, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–500 block Walnut St, Hays; 1:56 AM; 5:35 AM
Driving Under the Influence–200 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:21 AM; 2:22 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2000 block Metro Ln, Hays; 8:05 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–2300 block Main St, Hays; 8:31 AM
Abandoned Vehicle–200 block E 15th St, Hays; 8:36 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 8/29 9 AM
Sex Offense–100 block W 35th St, Hays; 8/5 12:01 AM
Water Use Violation–1200 block E 32nd St, Hays; 11:15 AM
Drug Offenses–1000 block E 41st St, Hays; 12 PM; 12:42 PM
Civil Transport–200 block E 7th St, Hays; 2:45 PM; 5 PM
Welfare Check–1300 block E 33rd St, Hays; 1:26 PM
Animal At Large–2200 block Walnut St, Hays; 2:01 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–2700 block Epworth, Hays; 1 AM; 9 AM
Civil Dispute–300 block W 11th St, Hays; 2:19 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–500 block E 8th St, Hays; 2:41 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–Hays; 2:45 PM
Civil Dispute–100 block W 24th St, Hays; 3:56 PM
Stalking–1600 block E 27th St, Hays; 4:27 PM
Civil Dispute–500 block E 14th St, Hays; 5:21 PM
Unlawful Use of Weapon–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 5:23 PM
Custody Dispute–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:20 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 7:23 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–2500 block Gen Lawton Rd, Hays; 8:10 PM
Suspicious Activity–100 block W 12th St, Hays; 8:22 PM
Assist – Other (not MV)–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 9:19 PM
Theft (general)–300 block W 8th St, Hays; 11:33 PM
MV Accident-Co Road/St Hwy–300 block W 9th St, Hays; 11:46 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–100 block W 14th St, Hays; 11:45 PM; 11:50 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 14 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Sat., Aug. 31, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Drug Offenses–200 block W 12th St, Hays; 12:12 AM; 12:50 AM
Driving Under the Influence–100 block W 8th St, Hays; 12:56 AM
Disorderly Conduct–500 block W 7th St, Hays; 1:24 AM
Driving Under the Influence–1000 block Fort St, Hays; 1:29 AM; 1:30 AM
Underage Possession of CMB/LIQ–500 block W 6th St, Hays; 1:57 AM
Suspicious Activity–500 block E 17th St, Hays; 2:05 AM
Dead Animal Call–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 2:21 AM
Animal At Large–2200 block Gen Custer Rd, Hays; 8:44 AM
Animal At Large–400 block Agnew Ln, Hays; 11:28 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block E 14th St, Hays; 1:07 PM
Shoplifting–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 8/30 11 PM
Criminal Damage to Property–3200 block Vine St, Hays; 4:59 PM
Dangerous Animal–200 block E 28th St, Hays; 5:02 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block W 27th St, Hays; 8:55 PM
Driving Under the Influence–1200 block Ash St, Hays; 9:19 PM
Animal Bite Investigation–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 9:29 PM
Animal Call–2000 block Hall St, Hays; 9:34 PM
Drug Offenses/DUI–600 block E 13th St, Hays; 9:38 PM; 9:39 PM
Disturbance – Noise–200 block Pershing Ct, Hays; 11:07 PM
Driving Under the Influence–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 11:25 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 8 animal calls and conducted 17 traffic stops Sun., Sept. 1, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Intoxicated Subject–700 block Fort St, Hays; 1:01 AM
Rape–400 block E 6th St, Hays; 2 AM; 4:23 AM
Suspicious Activity–2700 block Walnut St, Hays; 8/31 5 PM; 9/1 7 AM
Found/Lost Property–1200 block Vine St, Hays; 7:58 AM
Disturbance – Noise–500 block W 23rd St, Hays; 11:29 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–200 block E 5th St, Hays; 11:47 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–2700 block Epworth St, Hays; 12:10 PM
Disturbance – Noise–1300 block Douglas Dr, Hays; 3:57 PM
Theft of Services–4000 block Gen Hays Rd, Hays; 5:22 PM
MV Accident-Personal Injury–43rd and Vine, Hays; 6:51 PM; 6:53 PM
Welfare Check–500 block E 11th St, Hays; 9:42 PM
Phone/Mail Scam–1700 block Vine St, Hays; 10:18 PM
Disturbance – General–2200 block Canterbury Dr, Hays; 11:24 PM

The Hays Police Department responded to 5 animal calls and conducted 26 traffic stops Mon., Sept. 2, 2019, according to the HPD Activity Log.

Criminal Damage to Property–200 block W 7th St, Hays; 12:20 AM
Phone/Mail Scam–2500 block Vine St, Hays; 12:33 AM
(HPD) 44 – Traffic Stop–5th and Walnut, Hays; 1:05 AM
Disturbance – Fight–1000 block E 8th St, Hays; 5:19 AM
Found/Lost Property–1500 block US 183 Alt Hwy, Hays; 10:40 AM
Water Use Violation–1700 block Hall St, Hays; 11:18 AM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 16th St, Hays; 12:45 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–1300 block MacArthur Rd, Hays; 2:34 PM
Lost Animals ONLY–300 block W 33rd St, Hays; 3:38 PM
Criminal Trespass–700 block Vine St, Hays; 6 PM; 6:12 PM
Animal Call–700 block E 6th St, Hays; 8:04 PM
Criminal Trespass–500 block E 16th St, Hays; 10:18 PM
Drug Offenses–4300 block Vine St, Hays; 10:36 PM

Missouri high school sophomore dies after football practice

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JOPLIN, Mo. (AP) — A high school football player has collapsed and died after practice in southwest Missouri.

The Joplin school district said in a statement that emergency personnel responded around 5:30 p.m. Wednesday to the Joplin High School gymnasium after sophomore Kadin Roberts-Day had a medical emergency. The team had been practicing indoors.

The statement says Kadin was transported to a hospital and died due to cardiac arrest.

Kadin was a 6-foot-3-inch (1.9 meter), 205-pound (93-kilogram) offensive lineman.

The statement describes Kadin’s death as “tragic” and offers sympathy to his family and friends. It says coaching staff and teammates remember him as “extremely personable and caring.”

The district is making counseling services available for students.

HaysMed offers pre-K Kids in Motion

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The Center for Health Improvement at HaysMed, part of The University of Kansas Health System, is offering a special Pre-K Kids in Motion for children ages 3-5.

Session 1 will be held from September 9 through October 23. Session 2 will be held from November 4 through December 8. Both sessions are on Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. and are held at The Center for Health Improvement’s Gymnasium at 2500 Canterbury Drive in Hays.

The program provides age appropriate indoor and outdoor activities designed to keep children active in a fun environment and develop and improve motor skills. Participants will enjoy time with friends and learn about health and fitness.

The fee is $48 for each session. Drop ins are welcome with a $4 fee per class. To register go to https://haysmed.clubautomation.com or call 623-5900. Registration is limited to 12 children.

For more questions or more information call 785-623-6309 or email [email protected].

‘American Idol’ holds auditions for first time in Wichita

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Hundreds of superstar hopefuls have auditioned in Wichita to appear on the television show “American Idol.”

American Idol’s bus outside Century II in Wichita Wednesday-photo courtesy American Idol

The stop Wednesday in Wichita was the show’s first scouting visit to the city since it started 17 years ago.

Among those in line were hopefuls from Wichita, like Zephaniah Moore, an aspiring R&B singer who polled friends and family on Facebook about whether he should audition for “Idol.” They said he should.

Also in line was Sharane Calister, a 26-year-old singer from Des Moines, Iowa, who in the spring of 2018 placed 11th on another singing competition, NBC’s “The Voice.”

Those given the green light in Wichita will have to survive several more rounds before they get a chance to sing in front of the celebrity judges.

Wichita to join lawsuit against pain-killer industry

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WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Wichita plans to join a massive lawsuit against opioid makers, distributors and pharmacies.

The  city council approved a law firm Tuesday to represent it in federal litigation in Ohio, where the flood of cases over the opioid epidemic is being handled. Attorney Andrew Hutton says the city’s complaint could be filed by the end of the week.

Hutton said in a statement that opioid manufacturers used deceptive marketing to maximize profits. He says doctors were convinced to prescribe opioids, not just for cancer patients or those recovering from surgery, but also for chronic-pain sufferers, despite the risk of addiction.

The city wants to be compensated for costs such as opioid-related emergency calls. At the county level, the Wichita area had 148 opioid-related deaths last year.

___

Sheriff’s deputies make drug bust at home in NW Kansas

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DECATUR COUNTY — Law enforcement authorities are investigating a suspect on drug charges after a traffic stop.

Photo Decatur County Sheriff

On Wednesday, the Decatur County Sheriff’s office reported  they received information about a shipment of marijuana coming to a residence on west Sappa Street in the city limits of Oberlin, according to a social media report.

Surveillance was conducted over a 48 hour period on the residence. A search warrant was obtained and signed. The sheriffs office then conducted a controlled buy from the residence of 14 grams of marijuana and then  conducted a felony car stop on the property owner’s car after leaving the residence.

Deputies recovered another 12 grams of marijuana  during the search of the vehicle.
Upon conducting the search of the residence, deputies seized a large amount of drug paraphernalia, a pound and a half of marijuana and a scale used in the transactions.

Deputies arrested the owner of the residence. Charges are pending upon completion of the investigation, according to the sheriff’s department.

Rep. Hineman to serve on Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion

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OFFICE OF GOVERNOR

TOPEKA – Governor Laura Kelly announced the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion Wednesday afternoon. This Council of legislators, policy experts, advocates, stakeholders and community leaders will spearhead the Medicaid expansion efforts in the 2020 legislative session.

The members of the Council and their current positions are listed below:

Tom Bell – President and CEO, Kansas Hospital Association

Sen. Ed Berger – State Senator, District 34

Rep. Susan Concannon – State Representative, District 107

Denise Cyzman – CEO, Community Care Network of Kansas

Ximena Garcia M.D., Community Health Advocate

Cathy Harding – President and CEO, Wyandotte Health Foundation

Rep. Don Hineman – State Representative, District 118

April Holman – Executive Director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas

Dave Kerr, former president of the Kansas Senate

Kyle Kessler – Executive Director, Association of Community Mental Health Centers

Sen. Carolyn McGinn – State Senator, District 31

Rep. Monica Murnan – State Representative, District 3

Dr. Lee Norman – Secretary, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

David K. Livingston – CEO, Aetna Better Health of Kansas

Sen. Pat Pettey – State Senator, District 6

Rep. Jason Probst – State Representative, District 102

Jerry Slaughter – Interim Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society

Kevin Sparks – CEO, United Health Community Plan for Kansas

Michael Stephens – President and CEO, Sunflower Health Plan

Sen. Gene Suellentrop – State Senator, District 27

Suzanne Wikle – Senior Policy Analyst, Center for Law and Social Policy

Rep. Kathy Wolfe Moore – State Representative, District 36 

 

Ying Huang

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May 23, 1937 ~ September 4, 2019

An obituary is pending with Koons-Russell Funeral Home.

Click HERE for service details.

Kan. man avoids serious injury after fatal crash in Nebraska

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SIDNEY, Neb. (AP) — Authorities say a Wyoming man died after his car collided with tanker truck on Interstate 80 in western Nebraska.

The crash occurred around 3 p.m. Tuesday, about 7 miles west of Sidney. The Nebraska State Patrol says 20-year-old Chance Seivley of Cheyenne, Wyoming, was headed west when his car ran off his lane and onto rumble strips. The patrol says Seivley overcorrected and crossed the median, striking the eastbound tanker truck driven by Monte Larson, 57, Salina.

Seivley was pronounced dead at the scene.  Larson suffered only minor injuries, according to the Nebraska State Patrol.

KZ Country Cheesy Joke of the Day 9/5/19

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khaz cheesy joke logo 20110802Broke at College

A college freshman called up his mother and asked her for some money, because he was broke. His mother said, “Sure, sweetie. I will send you some money. You also left your calculus book here when you visited 2 weeks ago. Do you want me to send that up too?”

“Uhh, oh yeah, O.K.” responded the student.

So his mom wrapped up the book and mailed it. Dad asked, “Well how much did you give him?”

“Oh, I wrote 2 checks, one for $20, and the other for $500.”

“That’s $520!” said dad, “Are you crazy?”

“Don’t worry honey,” mom said. “I taped the $20 check to the cover of his book, but I put the $500 one somewhere in chapter 19!”

 

Join fans of 99 KZ Country on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/99KZCountry

 

 

 

GOVERNOR KELLY: ‘We will finally expand Medicaid in Kansas in 2020’

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Laura Kelly (D), Kansas Governor

OFFICE OF GOVERNOR

TOPEKA – The following remarks are from Kansas Governor Laura Kelly delivered Wednesday, September 4 at the press conference on Medicaid expansion:

“Good afternoon.

“It’s hard to believe, but in just four months, another legislative session will be upon us. Every legislative session offers its own unique set of challenges and opportunities, and 2020 will be no different.

“For the last several months I’ve been working with my administration to begin planning for the year ahead.

“Many of those plans are still in development, but one piece of my 2020 agenda is a certainty:

“I am going to do everything in my power to ensure this will be the year we will finally expand Medicaid in Kansas.

“When I traveled around the state last fall, Kansans made it clear that this is a high priority. They want as many Kansans as possible to have access to affordable, high-quality health care. They want our hospitals supported, and they want the jobs Medicaid expansion will bring.

“Medicaid expansion isn’t just a matter of smart health care policy. It is smart fiscal policy. It is smart economic policy. It is smart public policy.

“I’ve stood at this podium many times over the last year explaining why Medicaid expansion makes sense for Kansas. I won’t repeat those arguments again today.

“Instead, I’m here to talk about how we can finally bring this over the finish line.

“As you all are aware, I put forward a proposal to expand Medicaid on Kansas Day last year. I continue to believe that proposal was the simplest, most commonsense path forward – a plan that includes measures that promote self-sufficiency, a plan that includes safeguards to protect against exorbitant spending, and a plan that can be implemented effectively without undue costs or administrative burden.

“The House also took a position and passed a bill very similar to the one I offered, with very few amendments.

“And this fall, the Senate will finally begin its work on the interim committee to start drafting its own plan.

“This is finally a step in the right direction.

“But one thing concerns me as this work gets underway.

“Although Medicaid expansion has been at the top of voters’ minds for several years, the issue has received no formal committee review or vetting process in well over two years. Much has changed in that time, both federally and at the state level.

“For starters, we have a new President and, therefore, a new Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Administrator. The CMS administrator gets the final say on how states can amend their Medicaid systems.

“Obviously, we have a new governor, in addition to many recently-elected legislators who are diving into this issue for the first time. Several additional states have implemented expansion, with varying degrees of success, and an abundance of new data have been collected.

“The landscape has undeniably shifted. And the one benefit Kansas can leverage as a late-expansion state is the lessons learned from those who went before us. It is critical that we do this.

“To that end, today I will sign Executive Order 19-10, creating the Governor’s Council on Medicaid Expansion.

“The Council will bring together both new and veteran voices on Medicaid expansion and will be charged with supporting legislative efforts to find the best version of Medicaid expansion for Kansas.

“This Council will not develop or endorse new legislation. Rather, I’ve asked them to study the costs and benefits associated with expansion models in other states.

“It will be facilitated by a national, nonpartisan policy expert from the National Governors Association, and they will meet three times before the end of the year to explore these issues.

“By studying other state models for expansion, I am hoping we can avoid repeating some of the expensive, unnecessary mistakes made in other states.

“While I hope the Council will be able to identify 3 to 5 guideposts or goals for responsible expansion in Kansas, it will not develop new legislation.

“This Council will serve solely as an educational, transparent forum for public discussion, in a broader setting than can be achieved in an interim committee.

“These discussions will be an important supplement to legislative work that is already underway. The experiences of the 36 other states that already moved forward with expansion varied widely depending on what shape each state plan took – particularly in the early phases of implementation.

“That’s why this Council is necessary.

“We know not all models for expansion are created equal. We must carefully study other state approaches and outcomes so that our final Kansas plan balances our unique needs with evidence-based best practices.

“I want to thank every legislator, policy expert, advocate and community leader who has accepted our invitation. We want to hear everyone’s voice.

“We want a thorough, honest discussion.

“I am deeply committed to working with the Legislature to find a bipartisan solution. I want these Council members to ask the hard questions …  to come up with a plan that works for all Kansans.

“It’s the only way to get things done, and done right.

“Let’s work together to figure out how we can best serve Kansans, get them the access they need to affordable health care, and bring Kansas dollars back to Kansas.

“I look forward to collaborating with this Council and to, finally, bring Medicaid expansion to Kansas.”

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