Members of Governor Sam Brownback’s Rural Health Working Group are facing a stiff challenge. Representatives of the state’s hospitals and doctors briefed Lieutenant Governor Jeff Colyer and other panel members last (TUE) night at the group's first meeting. The Kansas Hospital Association’s Melissa Hungerford says many rural providers are being hit hard by the combination of older and sicker patients, the lack of Medicaid expansion and declining Medicare reimbursements.
Jerry Slaughter represents the state’s doctors. He says the only way to solve the problems facing rural health care providers is to address the broad range of economic issues affecting many of the state’s rural communities.
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This story contributed by Jim McLean, of the KHI News Service.
