Category: Opinions

History of KU Health System traced to 1905

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Opinion column

by Murrel Bland

It all started in 1905 when Dr. Simeon Bell donated land and $50,000 to establish a hospital that was to become an academic medical center in the Rosedale community.

Today, according to its website, The University of Kansas Health System has become a “destination academic medical center sought by patients and top-notch medical professionals from around the country. “

Kenny Wilk, a consultant for the Health System, told of the history of the institution to members of the Congressional Forum Friday, Feb. 17, at the Reardon Convention Center. He also told how the independent Health System came about nearly 20 years ago when he was a state legislator representing Leavenworth County.

Wilk said that the hospital was losing money. That led to the Kansas Legislature establishing a separate KU Hospital Authority that is now called The University of Kansas Health System. Although the Health System is independent, it continues to cooperate with the academic entities including the School of Medicine, the School of Nursing and the School of Health Professionals.

Wilk said that the hospital has 800 beds and during 2016 had 55,000 admissions. That compares to 13,000 admissions 1998. Wilk said it has a world-class reputation that attracts patients from across the country. The hospital has more than 10,000 employees.

The Health System continues to expand to meet patient demand, Wilk said. The new 13-story Cambridge North building will open soon. It cost $370 million.

Wilk also told of a new branch of the KU Medical School at Salina. He said that this was established because studies show that students tend to stay close to where they study medicine. Western Kansas communities have had challenges attracting medical doctors and nurses. There is also a KU Medical School in Wichita.

Murrel Bland is the former editor of The Wyandotte West and The Piper Press. He is the executive director of Business West.

Opinion column: Mayoral contest looks different this year

Window on the West

by Mary Rupert

There’s something different about the mayoral contest this year in Kansas City, Kan. It’s because the contest was shifted from the spring to the fall this year.

While it may seem like city campaigns should be in full swing, in reality, they are just getting started.

The mayoral contest in Kansas City, Kan., is shaping up so far as a two-person race, but it may not stay that way.

On Feb. 6, incumbent Mayor Mark Holland filed for re-election, and challenger David Alvey also filed for mayor. During the past few months, there has been speculation that others are interested in the office, also.

Stopping by the election office on Thursday, Feb. 16, William Crum was told that those two were still the only candidates officially filing for mayor. However, more than a dozen information packets about filing for office have been requested from the election office. That shows some additional interest, with the possibility that others may file. The filing deadline is noon June 1, the primary is in August and the general election is in November.

In the last primary campaign, in spring 2013, five candidates sought the office. The general election was between Holland and Commissioner Ann Murguia, with Holland receiving 56 percent of the vote to Murguia’s 43 percent. Former Commissioner Nathan Barnes was in a close third place in the primary.

Sen. David Haley

A frequently mentioned possibility for a mayor’s campaign this year is State Sen. David Haley, D-4th Dist. After a legislative forum on Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Main Kansas City, Kan., Public Library, Haley was asked whether he was going to run this year.

Sen. Haley said he was excited that there would be a vigorous debate, and he was listening closely to what the candidates propose to do. He indicated he would be monitoring the campaign on issues in which he was interested.

“I just want to hear a genuine commitment (from each candidate),” Sen. Haley said. He added he had a solid reputation that could only be diminished by running. However, he did not specifically say he would or would not run for the mayor’s office.

Incumbents traditionally have a large advantage in elections, mostly because they already have good name recognition. Incumbents also can make an announcement about major economic development initiatives, for example.

But the incumbent’s advantage may be smaller this year with election law changes that allow more time between the primary and general elections, formerly just around a month or so, and now about three months. The elections were moved to the fall of the year by a state law change. Instead of a primary in February and an election in March, now there will be a primary in August and a general election in November.

Alvey said last week that he expected the longer election season this year to help him, as it gives him more time to get to know the voters.

While state legislators changed the election timing this year, another issue from the last Kansas City, Kan., campaign hasn’t been changed. At the last election, the election cycle and how it affected Commissioner Nathan Barnes was an issue. In the UG’s election cycle, the 1st District candidate had to give up his UG seat in order to run for mayor, but not the 3rd District candidate. In some other cities, there is a rotation, but here, the 1st District commissioner and about half the commissioners are always running the same year as the mayor. That means a UG commissioner from one of those districts has to give up his seat to run for mayor, while commissioners from other districts do not have to risk as much.

While it may be too late to change it for this election, the issue still needs to be studied again in the future.

To reach Mary Rupert, editor, email [email protected].

Legislative newsletter from Rep. Pam Curtis

Rep. Pam Curtis

by State Rep. Pam Curtis, D-32nd Dist.

Last week was an incredibly busy one in the Kansas Legislature. I am pleased that a coalition of Democrats and Republicans in the Kansas House stood together to pass a comprehensive tax reform package. While HB 2178 is not perfect and may not be the final product, it is the first step towards restoring fiscal stability in our state. It sends a strong message regarding the House position that the “march to zero” income tax policy is no longer acceptable. On Friday, the Senate passed the same tax bill approved by the House and it is now on its way to the governor.

We are quickly approaching turnaround day, Feb. 23rd, the last day to consider non-exempt bills in house of origin. Some committees will meet on Monday and then we will be on the House Floor the rest of the week.

It is a special honor to serve as your state representative. I both value and need your input on the various issues facing state government. Please feel free to contact me with your comments and questions. My office address is Room 452-S, Kansas Statehouse, 300 SW 10th, Topeka, KS 66612. You can reach me at (785) 296-7430 or call the legislative hotline at 1-800-432-3924 to leave a message for me. Additionally, you can e-mail me at [email protected].

Tax bill passes House and Senate

A comprehensive bill put forth by the House Tax Committee would largely reverse Gov. Sam Brownback’s “march to zero” tax experiment, which has put Kansas in a fiscal crisis. The legislation (Substitute House Bill 2178) is expected to increase the state’s revenue by $590.2M in FY2018, and a steady $460M each fiscal year following.

Sub HB 2178 repeals the LLC loophole, which has allowed 330,000 Kansans to avoid paying any state income tax. It also reinstates the third tax bracket to make tax policy fair. In addition, the legislation will protect the mortgage interest deduction rate of 50 percent, and returns the medical expense itemized deduction at 100 percent.

The bill underwent the initial vote on the House Floor on Wednesday, Feb. 15th. It passed with overwhelming bipartisan support, 83 votes to 39. The final vote on the bill occurred Thursday, passing 76 to 48.

Friday morning, the House tax bill was debated in the Senate Chamber. It passed with a bipartisan majority 22 to 18 vote, and will now be sent to the governor as early as next week. Brownback can choose to sign the bill into law, or use his power of veto to send it back to the legislature.

See the full bill at http://kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/hb2178/.

House passes budget fix
Also this week, the House solved the current budget deficit of $350 million by largely liquidating a state investment fund (known as the Pooled Money Investment Portfolio, or PMIP). While this is not the preferred option of Democrats, this position far exceeds the alternative – which would force across-the-board cuts to public schools and higher ed. Kansas education budgets have already suffered severe cuts over the last several years. Kansas Democrats and Kansans overwhelmingly support public education, and will continue to defend it.
Read the full budget bills at http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/hb2161/ and http://www.kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/measures/hb2052/.

Hospital conceal carry bill dead in committee
On Wednesday, Feb. 15th, the House Federal and State Committee voted on a bill that would exempt Kansas hospitals from the concealed carry law set to take effect on July 1st of this year.

The committee deadlocked with an 11-11 vote. The committee’s chair refused to cast a tie-breaking vote. Democrats will work to find alternative ways to get the bill to the House floor for a vote.

Bills on the House floor

This week, the tax and budget bills were the main pieces of legislation on the floor. A few other bills passed through, including:

HB 2048: A school district plan addressing child sexual abuse; establishing Erin’s Law

HB 2096: Concerning the operation of transit buses on certain right shoulders in Wyandotte County

HB 2030: Pharmacist, pharmacy student or intern, administration of vaccines to persons six years or older
See a full list of bills passed at http://kslegislature.org/li/b2017_18/chamber/house/journals/2017/2/.