Photo by Kansas Department for Children and Families Michael Myers, fourth from left in back row, is retiring from his job overseeing the state’s foster care program. Some critics of the Kansas Department for Children and Families say he is among those responsible for what they believe has been a concerted effort to prevent same-sex couples in Kansas from adopting children.
The man who oversees the state’s foster care program is retiring, a spokesperson for the Kansas Department for Children and Families confirmed Friday.
Michael Myers, a former Topeka construction executive who has worked in several positions in the child welfare agency under Gov. Sam Brownback, will retire at the end of December.
DCF Secretary Phyllis Gilmore named Myers director of prevention and protection services in December 2014. He replaced Brian Dempsey, who abruptly left the agency along with Kathe Decker, former deputy director for family services.
Myers is not a high-profile official, but some critics of the agency say he is among those responsible for what they believe has been a concerted effort to prevent same-sex couples in Kansas from adopting children. Various DCF officials have denied the agency is working to discourage adoptions by gay couples. But several same-sex couples, some state legislators and a district court judge in Johnson County have said they believe there is a pattern of discrimination. The judge,
Kathleen Sloan, removed a 2-year-old boy from state custody in 2012 after finding that DCF had “worked hard” to build a case against the lesbian woman who was attempting to adopt him.
As the director of DCF’s Kansas City regional office, Myers was involved in the Johnson County case and among those singled out in Sloan’s decision.
“The court cannot reach any other conclusion other than KVC and DCF went out of their way to find any reason to remove (redacted name of the child) from the only home that he had ever known because they did not want this child to be adopted by the only parent he had ever known — a person who also happens to be gay,” Sloan wrote.
Theresa Freed, a spokesperson for DCF, said there is no connection between Myers’ retirement and the emerging controversy about the agency’s adoption policies. “Before all these stories started coming out, he had made that decision,” Freed said.
In the fall of 2013, Myers was named interim director of DCF’s Wichita regional office after Diane Bidwell resigned. The state was looking into charges that Bidwell was steering children at risk of entering the foster care system toward FaithBuilders, a faith-based group that some parents said was undercutting their efforts to be reunited with their children. Myers announced his retirement Thursday in an internal email.
“It is with Joy and a little sadness that I am announcing my retirement from DCF at the end of the month,” Myers wrote. “After over four years of working at DCF I feel it is time for a new challenge.” No one has yet been named to replace Myers, Freed said.
Jim McLean is executive editor of KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team.
STAFFORD COUNTY–The Kansas Department of Agriculture (KDA) Division of Water Resources (DWR) is one step closer to finalizing a water right impairment claim made by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) for its Water Right File No. 7,571 for the Quivira National Wildlife Refuge (Refuge). The Service’s water right is senior in priority to approximately 95 percent of the water rights in the Rattlesnake Creek Basin. The initial report on the impairment claim was published online on Dec. 2, 2015, and will be open for public comment for 60 days. The report is available here.
KDA will also hold a public meeting to present a summary of the report’s findings, answer questions, and seek input on Thursday, Dec. 10, at 4:00 p.m. in St. John. The meeting will be at the Stafford County K-State Research and Extension office located at 210 E. Third Avenue.
After years of alleging that junior groundwater appropriators upstream of the Refuge were depleting the streamflow in Rattlesnake Creek, and working with the Big Bend Groundwater Management District #5 (GMD 5), KDA DWR and a group of local water users to address these concerns, the Service filed an impairment complaint with KDA DWR in April 2013. After receiving the complaint, KDA DWR began a lengthy and extensive investigation using the hydrological model of the district (GMD 5 Model), which includes the Rattlesnake Creek Basin and the Refuge.
The initial report finds the Refuge’s water supply “has been regularly and substantially impacted by junior groundwater pumping.” According to the initial report, over the 34 years reviewed, shortages of greater than 3,000 acre-feet occurred in 18 years, particularly during periods of limited water supply.
“Publishing the initial report is an important step in this process, but there is still significant work to be completed,” said Chief Engineer David Barfield. “KDA hopes that the Service, GMD 5, and basin stakeholders will use this report to explore options to resolve this longstanding concern. We are committed to working with all stakeholders once the report is finalized to address the impairment.”
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Transportation issued a notice reminding airlines that they are required to compensate passengers for damage to wheels, straps, zippers, handles, and other protruding parts of checked baggage beyond normal wear and tear, according to a media release.
The notice also reminds airlines of their obligation to accept all reports of mishandled baggage from consumers even if an airline’s agent believes the airline is not liable. This notice is a result of recent airport inspections which uncovered the fact that certain airlines routinely exclude liability for damage to specific parts of checked baggage.
“These inspections demonstrate the Department’s commitment to protecting consumers when they travel by air,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx. “While we are proud of the progress we’ve made so far, we will continue to strengthen how we monitor and enforce compliance with air travel consumer protection and civil rights rules.”
The Department’s Office of Aviation Enforcement and Proceedings discovered that certain airlines may be refusing to accept reports of such damage when it inspected U.S. and foreign airlines at 16 airports nationwide in a two week period in September 2015. The notice warns airlines to immediately review and revise their baggage policies to ensure compliance with the law. The Aviation Enforcement Office intends to take enforcement action against airlines that are not in compliance by January 9, 2016.
The airport inspections are part of the Department’s commitment to strong oversight of airlines’ compliance with Federal rules protecting the rights of air travelers. The nationwide inspections conducted in September ensure that frontline customer-facing airline employees, not just managers and executives, understand how the law requires airline agents to treat air travelers. The inspections have been helpful in determining whether airlines are treating consumers fairly and providing them the services to which they are entitled under the law.
The Aviation Enforcement Office is investigating a number of carriers based on information obtained during the airport inspections for potential violations of the Department’s consumer protection and civil rights requirements. Any enforcement action that results from these investigations will become public.
– See more at: https://www.transportation.gov/briefing-room/dot-reminds-airlines-passengers-should-be-compensated-most-damage-baggage-wheels#sthash.XaxO7qHn.dpuf
NEW YORK (AP) — Health officials are seeing an increases of a rare illness called rabbit fever that was beaten back decades ago.
In the last two decades, health officials saw an average of only about 125 cases each year of the illness — known to doctors as tularemia. But the government reported Thursday that there have already been 235 cases this year. That’s the most since 1984.
Officials aren’t sure why cases are up, but speculate that it may have to do with weather conditions that likely helped rodents — and the bacteria — thrive in some Western states.
Insects pick up the bacteria from rabbits and other small mammals and then spread it when they bite humans. It’s treatable with antibiotics.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — A Kansas man has been charged with first-degree murder in the shooting death of a Wichita State University student.
Isaiah Copridge, Wichita, also was charged Friday with aggravated robbery in the death of Rayan Ibrahim Baba, a Saudi national who was found Aug. 8 shot in a parking lot of one of the university’s dormitories. Copridge’s bond was set at $200,000 at his first appearance Friday.
Copridge and Eboni Fingal were arrested the day after Baba was shot. Fingal was charged in October with first-degree murder and aggravated robbery. Her preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 7.
Copridge was rearrested Thursday. His preliminary hearing is set for Dec. 17. He is being represented by a public defender. An after-hours call to the public defender’s office Friday was not answered.
MANHATTAN – Law enforcement authorities in Riley County are looking for information on the whereabouts of Barrett Stokes, 20, Manhattan.
The Riley County Police Department has responded to multiple vehicle burglaries during the past week. Investigators have identified Stokes as a potential suspect in these crimes.
Stokes stands approximately 5 feet 11 inches and weighs 175 pounds. He has brown hair and hazel eyes.
Stokes should also be considered potentially armed and dangerous. Do not approach or attempt to apprehend this subject.
Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Barrett Stokes is encouraged to contact RCPD at 785-537-2112 (call 911 if it is an emergency) or the Manhattan Riley County Crime Stoppers785-539-7777 or online atwww.ManhattanRileyCountyCrimeStoppers.com. Crime Stoppers is an anonymous service and could qualify you for a cash reward of up to $1,000.00.
NEW YORK (AP) — An outbreak of E. coli linked to Chipotle restaurants has sickened seven more people and expanded to three additional states.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says a total of 52 cases have now been reported in nine states, including Illinois, Maryland and Pennsylvania.
At the end of October, cases had been reported in Oregon and Washington. Additional cases were later reported in California, Minnesota, New York and Ohio.
Of the 52 people infected, the CDC says 47 reported eating at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in the week before the illness started. The agency has not yet determined the ingredient responsible.
Earlier Friday, Chipotle announced it was tightening its food safety standard
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Officials say that six Republican presidential candidates have filed to participate in the Kansas Republican Party’s caucus in March, while three Democratic candidates have informally pledged to participate in the state’s caucus.
The Topeka Capital-Journal reports that Ohio Gov. John Kasich was the first Republican to file to participate in the March 5 caucus. He is joined by U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, surgeon Ben Carson, former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, businessman Donald Trump and U.S. Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida.
Officials expect more to join the caucus before the Jan. 20 deadline.
Kerry Gooch, the state Democratic Party’s executive director, says he expects former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont and former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley to stay in the race through the state Democratic caucus. The deadline to be included is Jan. 4.
KANSAS CITY, Kan. (AP) — A second man has been convicted in the 17-year-old killing of a Kansas City, Kansas, woman.
The Wyandotte County prosecutor’s office said in a news release that 35-year-old Jason L. Rucker, of Kansas City, Kansas, was found guilty Thursday of first-degree murder in the October 1997 death of Vicky Ernst. Rucker was 16 at the time of the killing but stood trial as an adult.
He sentencing is set for Jan. 22.
Co-defendant Torry M. Johnson pleaded guilty in September to first-degree murder. The 35-year-old already is serving a life sentence in a Missouri prison for the 2005 killing of a Kansas City man.
The news release said a fresh review of the case led prosecutors to charge the two men in the killing in April.
DETROIT (AP) — Fiat Chrysler is recalling more than 121,600 Dodge Dart small cars worldwide because of a defect that could affect their brake systems.
The recall affects 2013 and 2014 model year Darts with 2-liter and 2.4-liter engines.
FCA says it’s aware of two minor injuries and seven accidents possibly related to the defect. It will contact owners and dealers will fix the cars for free.
FCA says oil can get on parts of the braking system. If the oil degrades those parts, the brakes could be more difficult to use. It could also take drivers longer to stop their cars.
The recall affects 105,458 Darts in the U.S., 11,996 in Canada and 4,149 in Mexico and elsewhere.
WICHITA, Kan. (AP) — Sedgwick County authorities said human remains found near Wichita earlier this week were those of a man released from prison in June.
Sheriff’s Capt. Greg Pollock said Friday the remains of James T. Labat were identified using dental records.
A cause of death has not been determined.
A hunter found the remains Tuesday in a wooded area. Investigators recovered 90 to 95 percent of the remains.
Pollock said Labat was released from prison June 15 and was listed as an absconder in July after not reporting to his parole officer. Labat had several convictions for burglary and drug offenses.
Officers investigate a shooting in west Salina Friday afternoon (Photo by Terry Tebrugge/Salina Post)
SALINA – Law enforcement authorities in Saline County are investigating a report of gunshots in west Salina on Friday and are searching for a suspect.
Police officers with were called to the area of Crawford Street and Duvall Avenue just after 12:30p.m. on reports of gunshots in the area, according to Sgt. Jim Feldman tells
When officers arrived at the scene, shell casings were found near the intersection.
Officers also found what appears to be damage to a road sign caused by a bullet.
Feldman said that witnesses in the area indicated the suspect was on foot at the time of the shooting and it appeared as though the man was firing at another individual. There were no reports of any injuries.
Officers were also investigating possible bullet damage to a building at the Sunset Plaza in the 1200 block of West Crawford, but Feldman could not confirm if that damage was related to Friday’s shooting.
The only description available that the suspect was white, according to police.
Anyone with information regarding the incident or the suspect is asked to call the Salina Police Department at 785-826-7210, Crime Stoppers at 785-825-TIPS, text SATIPS to CRIMES (274637), or visit www.pd.salina.org and follow the Crime Stoppers link to submit a web tip. You may receive a cash reward of up to $1,000 and you are not required to give your name.
Photo by KHI News Service File Photo Andy Allison, former director of the Kansas and Arkansas Medicaid programs, wrote a paper proposing ways to streamline state Medicaid programs. By 2025, he wrote, the program is expected to cover 75 million Americans at a cost of $1 trillion.
A former Kansas Medicaid director has authored a paper proposing ways to streamline Medicaid programs that he says are too fragmented in many states.
Andy Allison, who also previously ran the Arkansas Medicaid program, presented the paper last month at a conference of state Medicaid directors.
Medicaid is public health coverage jointly funded by federal and state governments that serves Americans with disabilities, low-income children and pregnant women, and some adults with low incomes who lack private insurance.
Routine enrollment increases along with expanded eligibility under the Affordable Care Act have made Medicaid the largest jointly funded state/federal program in U.S. history, Allison wrote, and by 2025 the program is expected to cover 75 million Americans at a cost of $1 trillion.
It’s time to step back and look at ways states can restructure their Medicaid programs so they operate more efficiently and effectively, according to Allison.
“The sheer size of Medicaid, its expected growth and the significance of state program choices in the coming years — none more substantial than whether to participate in the ACA’s now-optional expansion — have drawn attention to the adequacy of its administration,” Allison wrote. “The leaders of state Medicaid programs face a sobering magnitude of challenges — challenges that will only continue to grow.”
Allison is a former researcher for the Kansas Health Institute, the parent organization of the editorially independent KHI News Service. He led the Kansas Medicaid program for about six years while serving as deputy director and executive director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority and director of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment’s Division of Health Care Finance from December 2005 to November 2011.
In a breakout box within the paper, Allison highlighted Kansas’ switch in 2013 to managed care Medicaid under KanCare as an example of the high-dollar policy changes Medicaid directors make.
KanCare was conceptualized during Allison’s tenure but implemented after he left for Arkansas. Under KanCare, Kansas signed contracts worth about $3 billion total with three private insurance companies to run Medicaid. The program was expected to save the state $800 million over its first five years, Allison wrote.
Most of the approximately 425,000 Kansans now covered by KanCare are low-income children, new mothers, people with disabilities or elderly adults needing long-term care who have exhausted their personal resources.
Kansas is among the 20 states that have not expanded eligibility for Medicaid under the ACA. Expansion would extend KanCare coverage to non-disabled adults with incomes up to 138 percent of the federal poverty level: annually $16,105 for an individual and $32,913 for a family of four. Currently adults are eligible for coverage only if they have dependent children and earn less than 33 percent of FPL: $7,870 for a family of four.
Allison also wrote about the bureaucratic challenges Medicaid directors face. In many states, Medicaid’s financial administration is housed at the sub-Cabinet level within large state agencies, like KDHE in Kansas, even though the Medicaid budget dwarfs all of the agency’s other functions.
Medicaid services also are spread among agencies in many states, including Kansas. But when federal officials perform audits, all of the responsibility for errors falls on Medicaid directors, even if they did not have direct control over the error, Allison wrote.
He said Medicaid directors, on the whole, need more authority and better compensation, given the size and scope of the programs they oversee.
States like New York, Arizona and Tennessee have taken innovative approaches, Allison said, making their Medicaid programs standalone, Cabinet-level agencies with high degrees of administrative independence.
“This report makes the case that the populations Medicaid covers and the providers who serve them should not be fragmented,”
Allison’s said in the report, “and that a unified Medicaid organizational structure with clear accountability is consistent with a strategy of consolidating payments and integrating services to best meet the needs of states.”
Allison now works as a consultant for McKinsey and Company, which declined to make him available for an interview. Allison’s report was published by the Milbank Memorial Fund, a New York-based foundation dedicated to improving the health of populations by providing policy suggestions based on evidence and experience.
Scott Brunner, another former Kansas Medicaid director and Kansas Health Institute employee, said he and Allison have long discussed some concepts in the paper.
The Kansas Health Policy Authority was an attempt to gather more of Medicaid under one administratively independent roof, Brunner said. But that approach quickly lost legislative support and the health policy authority was absorbed by KDHE in 2011.
Brunner doubts there is much appetite in Kansas to move back toward the consolidated agency approach recommended by Allison’s paper, especially after the launch of KanCare.
“That’s such a significant change in approach,” he said. “My opinion is that change alone is probably what providers want to have settled and let that kind of sit for a while and absorb what the managed care transition means.”
Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @andymarso
