Hospitals and community clinics press committee to sustain behavioral‑health beds and boost clinic and children's funding
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Summary
Hospital and clinic leaders urged continuation of a $10 million state add‑on for voluntary adult behavioral‑health beds and sought increases for community health center grants and Children’s Initiative Fund gaps; witnesses warned closures would increase ER boarding and worsen rural access.
Hospital leaders, community health center representatives and child‑service advocates addressed a range of KDHE budget items the committee is considering, urging continued or increased support to sustain services across the state.
Tara Mays of the Kansas Hospital Association and Dr. Rob Frielab of Salina Regional Medical Center asked the committee to renew a $10,000,000 add‑on payment that has helped sustain voluntary adult behavioral‑health beds. Dr. Frielab said his 15‑bed unit serves patients from 81 counties in 2025 and that continued funding is critical to avoid closures that would increase ER boarding and harm rural access.
Robert Stiles (Community Care Network of Kansas) requested increasing the community‑based primary care clinics grant program from $18,750,690 to $30,750,690 (a $12M enhancement), describing clinics that operated in 48 counties and deliver integrated medical, dental and behavioral health care to underserved populations. He warned clinics face rising uncompensated care and thin margins.
Megan Leopold (Kansas Action for Children) described a $10.6M shortfall in the Children's Initiative Fund (CIF), funded by the Kansas Endowment for Youth (tobacco settlement), and requested $5.9M SGF plus a $1M transfer from the endowment to sustain infant/toddler services, SIDS prevention grants and tobacco prevention programs.
Witnesses asked staff for fiscal clarifications and county‑level data and emphasized that these investments affect rural hospitals, clinics, and child‑service programs across the state. No committee votes were taken during the hearing.
