Kansas Health Institute

03/31/2026

👋Be sure to stop by the Kansas Health Institute booth today and tomorrow at the 2026 Kansas Governor's Public Health Conference, in Wichita!
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Look for our presenters on the agenda!

03/30/2026

On April 2, KHI senior analyst and strategy team leader, Sheena Schmidt, will be contributing to an in-depth discussion on the future of health care in Kansas as part of the Dole Institute's Spring Student Advisory Board (SAB) program.
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The Effects of Federal Health Policy on Kansas will explore how recent federal initiatives, such as the One Big Beautiful Bill Act and the new Rural Health Transformation Program, may shape Kansas’ health care landscape.
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Sheena will be joining SAB coordinator, Abbie Clements, and President and CEO of the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund, David Jordan, in this discussion.
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To learn more about this event, visit https://doleinstitute.org/event/the-effects-of-federal-health-policy-on-kansas/
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United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

03/30/2026

In case you missed it: Learn how Kansas hospitals are advancing nutrition and food access. In late 2025, Healthworks, the Kansas Hospital Association, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, and Kansas Health Institute released a brief examining how Kansas hospitals address nutrition and food access, highlighting hospitals’ role, persistent barriers and opportunities for partnerships and policy change.
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Hospital Efforts to Improve Access to Healthy Foods: https://www.khi.org/articles/hospital-efforts-to-improve-access-to-healthy-foods/
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Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Kansas Hospital Association

Explore Kansas hospitals’ work to improve nutrition and food access in this brief, Hospital Efforts to Improve Access to Healthy Foods.

03/26/2026

🏛️ During Week 10, which started March 16, the Kansas Legislature worked bills addressing:

🔷 Family foster home licensing and Home Plus capacity
🔷 Nursing regulation and qualifications for instructors
🔷 App oversight, public assistance data sharing and school safety drills

Several bills were forwarded to Gov. Laura Kelly for approval.

Learn more in our latest edition of Health at the Capitol: https://www.khi.org/articles/week-10-of-the-2026-session

This edition of Health at the Capitol looks at health-related policy issues addressed by the Legislature the week of March 16.

03/26/2026

Public health isn’t built on messaging alone—it grows in everyday moments ☕🏟️ In coffee shops, at games and in the spaces where real conversations happen.
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When people feel seen and heard, public health becomes personal—and that’s where lasting impact begins 🤝
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Explore how authentic connection makes the difference in the latest from the Kansas Health Institute’s blog 👇
https://www.khi.org/articles/authentically-engaged/
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Kansas Public Health Collaborative Kansas Public Health Association American Public Health Association

03/25/2026

KHI President and CEO, Kari Bruffett, joined the Kansas Health Foundation's Ed O’Malley and Susan Kang on the fourth episode of the podcast 🎙️ Leading Health.
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Chapter 4: Kansas at 29th breaks down Kansas’ latest ranking in America’s Health Rankings, exploring what’s driving the state’s current position. O’Malley, Kang and Bruffett discuss leadership and tough interpretations of data - emphasizing the importance of reimagining.
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🎧To listen to Chapter 4 of Leading Health, visit https://kansashealth.org/2026/03/24/leading-health-chapter-four/
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Kansas Health Foundation

03/20/2026

🏛️Recent federal health policy updates:
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🔷 The Trump administration created a task force led by Vice President JD Vance to investigate and address fraud in federal benefit programs
🔷 A federal judge blocked changes to the childhood immunization schedule and stayed advisory committee appointments
🔷 Federal agencies advanced nutrition training in medical schools
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Learn more about this and other health-related news we are watching that could have an impact on Kansas.
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📰 https://www.khi.org/articles/update-what-were-watching-march-20-2026
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This update covers the latest federal health policy news and its potential impact on Kansas.

03/19/2026

🏛️ With First Adjournment less than three weeks away, lawmakers advanced bills the week of March 9, including:
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🔷 Remote practice of pharmacy
🔷 Home Plus capacity
🔷 Foster home licensure
🔷 Nursing oversight
🔷 Public assistance eligibility
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Learn more in our latest edition of Health at the Capitol: 📰 https://www.khi.org/articles/week-9-of-the-2026-session/
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This edition of Health at the Capitol looks at health-related policy issues addressed by the Kansas Legislature the week of March 9.

03/12/2026

🏛 During Week 8, which began March 2, the Kansas Legislature resumed a full schedule of bill and informational hearings. Lawmakers worked bills addressing:
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🔷 Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) income eligibility
🔷 Scope of practice for physical therapists and pharmacists
🔷 Interstate compact for the placement of children
🔷 Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN) licensing requirements
🔷 Custody authority for minors
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Learn more! https://www.khi.org/articles/week-8-of-the-2026-session
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Kansas State Board of Nursing, Kansas Department for Children and Families, Kansas Department of Health and Environment

This edition of Health at the Capitol looks at health-related policy issues addressed by the Kansas Legislature the week of March 2.

03/06/2026

🍽️ Bring It Finale | March 10
Turning Health Policy Insights into Action
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Wrap up the Bring It series by focusing on what comes next — how to apply health policy insights, data and conversations to real-world decision-making and action.
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🕛 Noon–1 p.m. CST | Virtual
👉 Register here: https://www.khi.org/view-all-events/
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03/06/2026

🎉Happy National Employee Appreciation Day!
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At the heart of our mission to improve health in Kansas is our extraordinary team of employees. Their commitment to education, research, innovation and service fuels the conversations and learning that lead to meaningful change. Today we acknowledge the expertise, collaboration and dedication they bring to our shared vision of a healthier Kansas.
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We are proud to recognize and celebrate their contributions, today and always. ✨
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03/05/2026

🏛 Recent federal health policy updates:
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🔹 HHS appointed new members to the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices and rescheduled its February meeting.
🔹 The Trump administration announced a nationwide crackdown on Medicare and Medicaid fraud.
🔹 Surgeon general nominee Dr. Casey Means appeared before the Senate HELP Committee for a confirmation hearing.
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Read more about health-related news we are watching: https://www.khi.org/articles/update-what-were-watching-march-5-2026
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This update covers the latest federal health policy news and its potential impact on Kansas.