Local Health Buzz

It’s time to put progress ahead of politics

Post date: February 4, 2014 12:51 PM
Submitted by natasha on February 4, 2014 12:51 PM

By Mayor Sly James, mayor of Kansas City, Mo.

People ask me what I love about being mayor of Kansas City. The answer is that I enjoy seeing the real impact of the decisions we make in City Hall. I have the opportunity to work with a strong group of people at the city – elected and staff – who want to do the right thing. If something isn’t working then we make a change. For us, what’s important is getting things done, not keeping score.

Unfortunately, we know that hasn’t always been the case in our state capitals or Washington, DC.

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Canvassing team Covers KC

Post date: February 3, 2014 12:26 PM
Submitted by natasha on February 3, 2014 12:26 PM

By Tyler Menges, Canvasser for Enrollment Outreach Campaign

With the deadline for open enrollment through the Health Insurance Marketplace quickly approaching, I jumped at the opportunity to join the CoverKC team canvassing the neighborhoods in the Greater Kansas City area.

In my opinion, access to medical care is a human right, and I feel privileged to be a member of this dedicated team going door to door, offering information about the Affordable Care Act for those who need it most.

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What are we willing to do on their behalf?

Post date: January 28, 2014 3:18 PM
Submitted by bmccandless on January 28, 2014 3:18 PM

By Bridget McCandless, President/CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City

Let’s face it – the weather recently has certainly been a detriment to spending time outside. That is why it struck me just how addictive cigarettes are. As I looked out the window during the polar vortex with wind chills at -20 degrees, I saw a thin elderly woman standing alone in the freezing wind, smoking her cigarette.

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Tobacco is still deadly, and we are still fighting for a tobacco-free future

Post date: January 28, 2014 10:51 AM
Submitted by natasha on January 28, 2014 10:51 AM

Brenda CalvinBy Brenda Calvin, HCF program officer

It’s been 50 years since we first learned that tobacco smoke is deadly. Since the release of the groundbreaking, 1964 Surgeon General’s report, we have further evidence that links smoking to diseases of nearly all organs of the body.

In light of this significant health anniversary, a new report, The Health Consequences of Smoking – 50 Years of Progress: A Report of the Surgeon General, was released this week. It states that more than 20 million Americans have died because of smoking.

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Previewing the 2014 Legislative Sessions in Kansas, Missouri

Post date: January 19, 2014 4:09 PM
Submitted by natasha on January 19, 2014 4:09 PM

Jessica HembreeBy Jessica Hembree, HCF program and policy officer

The Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City’s 2014 policy agenda has a clear top priority for both Kansas and Missouri: the expansion of Medicaid to cover those who are currently left out of any eligibility systems.

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Smoking, prevention and New Year's Resolutions

Post date: January 15, 2014 10:37 PM
Submitted by bmccandless on January 15, 2014 10:37 PM

By Bridget McCandless, President/CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City

It’s that time of year again when many of my patients are trying to quit smoking.

My job is only to be the cheerleader because I know that they have to choose to quit for their own reasons. I’m as amazed by those who set down the pack and never look back as I am by those who are willing to keep trying to quit, despite their relapses.

Patients tell me that when they give up their smokes it’s like saying goodbye to a friend, confidant and comforter. Some grieve the loss of their cigarettes, but no one ever grieves their ability to breathe better.

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All in a day’s work: One health navigator's experience with the insurance marketplace

Post date: January 15, 2014 10:12 PM
Submitted by natasha on January 15, 2014 10:12 PM

By Erica Andrade, health navigator for El Centro

Even though I’ve worked here as a health navigator long before “navigator” became synonymous with the health insurance marketplace and its anticipated roll out, I must admit even I was more than a little worried.

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HCF's Local Health Buzz Blog aims to discuss health and health policy issues that impact the uninsured and underserved in our service area. To submit a blog, please contact HCF Communications Officers, Jennifer Sykes, at jsykes@hcfgkc.org.

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About Bridget's Blog

Bridget McCandless

Bridget McCandless, MD, MBA, FACP, HCF President/CEO

Bridget McCandless is the President/CEO of the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City and is a Board Certified Internal Medicine Specialist with an interest in chronic disease management and poverty medicine. She shares her thoughts and perspectives on health and policy issues that impact the health of the community as a whole.

Medicaid Part 2 begins in 2015
June 17, 2014
End of Missouri Session—Part One
June 3, 2014
Reflections on six months
March 26, 2014

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