In addition to new general service clinics, the area also has benefited from an expansion in dental care access for special needs and elderly populations. Oral Health on Wheels, a 40-foot mobile dental clinic operated by Johnson County Community College, provides professional dental cleaning and other maintenance services to special needs populations. A dental services […]
By Shannon Cotsoradis on February 5, 2016
President and CEO, Kansas Action for Children
Since the Children’s Initiatives Fund (CIF) was established with tobacco settlement dollars in 1999, it has become the cornerstone of funding for our early care and education system in Kansas. In fact, pretty much every program that serves young children has received or is currently receiving funding from the CIF. That is why Governor Sam […]
Historically, one of the most effective strategies for reducing smoking has been to increase the cost of tobacco through higher taxes. According to the American Lung Association, a 10 percent increase in tobacco cost reduces consumption by about 4 percent among adults and 7 percent among youth. Each year, 6,500 Missouri youth start smoking, while […]
By Jessica Hembree on January 25, 2016
Program Officer, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Each year about this time, the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City develops a policy agenda to help guide our advocacy work in the coming year. I know that many of our grantees and nonprofit partners do the same, and let me assure you that crafting these agendas is tricky! Every decision about where […]
By Ashley Jones-Wisner on January 22, 2016
State Policy Manager, KC Healthy Kids
You might think that because Kansas is known as the “bread basket” of the nation, its people don’t have to worry about being able to afford their food. However, unlike every single one of its neighboring states, Kansas has not reduced or fully exempted groceries from its state sales tax rate. Consequently, Kansas now has […]
By Matt Davis on January 14, 2016
Farm to Institution Manager, KC Healthy Kids
At KC Healthy Kids, we are dedicated to creating a healthier community through healthy eating and active living in the Kansas City region. We are also dedicated to growing our local food system, building a healthy economy and protecting our natural resources. This is why we are very excited to announce our newest initiative, Carrot […]
By Bridget McCandless, MD on January 11, 2016
President and CEO, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Yesterday was the service for my friend Landon Rowland. It is hard not to smile when thinking of how to describe him. I heard several people lovingly describe him as complex. That complexity manifested as a man of un-ending curiosity, graciousness, fervor and conviction. He was also a provocateur and instigator which made him so […]
By Gary Harbison on January 7, 2016
Executive Director, Missouri Coalition for Oral Health
On Tuesday of this week, Governor Jay Nixon made an announcement that oral health advocates, dental providers and – most importantly – adults currently eligible for MO HealthNet (Missouri Medicaid) have longed to hear: Missouri will provide MO HealthNet adult dental benefits. Now we must wait up to 90 days for the Centers for Medicare and […]
By Bridget McCandless, MD on January 6, 2016
President and CEO, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
There are few words to describe someone as important to the Health Care Foundation as Tracy Skidgel. She was the first employee of HCF, and in many ways, helped to shape the way we do business. At the beginning, we had no available money, and Tracy had to use her credit card to pay the expenses […]
By Jennifer Sykes on January 1, 2016
Communications Officer, Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City
Everyone loves a good story. The best part of my job as as the Communications Officer at the Health Care Foundation of Greater Kansas City is being able to share the stories of our community partners as they work to create healthier communities. This isn’t always easy. While there have never been more ways to reach […]
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 .
