TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) – Changes are coming to a program in Shawnee County that helps uninsured, uninsured and low-income people access health care.
Initially, the University of Kansas St. Francis Health System announced it would suspend its participation in Shawnee County Health Access. The report noted an increasingly challenging financial environment for health care providers who perform unpaid work.
However, after having a change of heart, the hospital announced around 1:50 p.m. its decision to pause the new policy change and continue providing care to those in need through Shawnee County Health Care Access.
“We recognize that health access programs play an important role in providing care to low-income and uninsured people in our communities. Additional review and discussion with HealthAccess leadership At this time, we do not plan to focus program participation solely on our current HealthAccess panel of patients.
The University of Kansas Health System St. Francis Campus will continue to provide hospital- and clinic-based care through the Health Access Program and existing charity care programs. Since 2022, we have provided nearly $4.5 million in free care annually to Health Access patients. This is in addition to the approximately $7 million in uncompensated care provided last year through the University of Kansas Health System’s existing charity care program in accordance with the University of Kansas Health System’s Charity Care and Financial Assistance Policy. As always, we will continue to treat all patients who require emergency care, regardless of their ability to pay.
Like all community hospitals, we are facing increasing financial pressures, exacerbated by a growing number of uninsured patients. This is a statewide issue and one that highlights the need for Medicaid expansion in Kansas. Expanding Medicaid would ensure coverage for an additional 150,000 Kansans, closing the health access gap for many patients and ensuring fair compensation for the care provided by community hospitals. You will be killed. We will continue to work with our health access partners to advocate for durable solutions and provide care to those in need. ”
Stormont Vail Health, another participant in the healthcare access program, issued a statement saying it was very grateful for the change of heart and decision to continue serving residents.
“Health Access has been an important program in Shawnee County for 22 years, helping to create a proportionate and equitable commitment to compassionate care for qualifying low-income, uninsured individuals. Ardent/University of Kansas Health System Francis has reevaluated his previous decision to withdraw from the program. We look forward to learning more about this decision and will monitor the situation closely.”
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