Healthcare and Insurance

Missouri House blocks Medicaid funding expansion

This week, Missouri lawmakers in the House of Representatives voted down funding for the expansion on Medicaid. The measure to expand Medicaid was approved by 53 percent of voters back in August 2020. The vote will allow an additional 275,000 Missourians… more

Kansas vaccine access expands

Kansas has announced it soon plans to alter the way it's conducting its COVID-19 vaccination plan. The change could make many people more comfortable with getting a vaccine, according to Secretary for the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, Lee… more

Olathe planners advance health center zoning

A lot on the northwest corner of 151st Street and Quivira Road has sat vacant for more than a decade. Now, Olathe Health is looking to build a two-story medical office building on it. The Olathe Planning Commission approved on… more

U.S. nursing homes release reform agenda due to COVID

A new reform agenda from the American Health Care Association has been released called the Care For Our Seniors Act. The agenda sets out to address systemic issues facing long term care sector and to learn from ongoing an COVID-19.… more

MU Health begins construction of $242M mid-Missouri facility

University of Missouri Health Care in Columbia has begun construction of its $242 million women's and children's pavilion. Construction of the pavilion at its main campus in Columbia began March 22; it's expected to open the summer of 2024. The… more

Cerner $16B EHR system for VA to receive review

The Department of Veterans Affairs on Friday announced a strategic review of its electronic health records modernization, a $16 billion effort with North Kansas City-based Cerner Corp. VA Secretary Denis McDonough announced the review after his assessment of the program… more

Coping with COVID: COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to open April 9 to all Missouri residents 16 and up

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson’s administration said every resident 16 and older will become eligible on April 9. In a similar fashion, neighboring Illinois intends to do the same on April 12. The announcements come as the U.S. dramatically increases the… more

Pediatric COVID-19 vaccine trials to take off in KC area

Moderna became the first U.S. drugmaker to vaccinate children this week, as it entered it’s Phase 2/3. Moderna will enroll approximately 6,750 children in the U.S. and Canada ages 6 months to less than 12 years old. Children’s Mercy Kansas… more

Coping with COVID: Select Walmart, Sam’s Club locations in Mo. open COVID-19 vaccine sign-up

A number of Walmart and Sam’s Club locations located just outside the Kansas City region on the Missouri side have opened sign-up appointment for the COVID-19 vaccine. Immediate openings are available at select locations located for the most part north… more

Coping with COVID: Kansas to combine, begin phases 3 and 4 of COVID-19 vaccinations next week

Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly announced the state will combine phases 3 and 4 of its vaccination plan, which now includes people aged 16 through 64 with medical conditions like cancer, diabetes and pregnancy as well as non-health care workers in a… more