News

Higher minimum wage movement picks up pace with KC-area hospitals

A spreading trend at hospitals in the Kansas City region has been raising the minimum wage. This week, North Kansas City Hospital and its subsidiary, Meritas Health, announced it will be raising its minimum wage to $15 per hour. The… more

National Institutes of Health to study reactions to vaccine

In the last two weeks, there have been about eight allergic reactions to the Covid-19 vaccine, and the National Institutes of Health is devising a study to find out why.  Six cases of anaphylaxis has been identified in the United… more

Large vaccination effort to be carried out by CVS Health, Walgreens at Missouri nursing homes

Starting next week on Dec. 28, Missouri nursing homes and other long-term care facilities will be getting a helping hand in administering the COVID-19 vaccine to residents and staff. CVS Health plans to administer about 100,000 coronavirus vaccinations across Missouri… more

Q&A with Polly Thomas

Q: From the broker/consulting perspective, can you tell us specifically how the increased use of telemedicine by providers is changing insurer’s relationships with corporate and individual consumers? What about with providers? A: The expansion of telemedicine by providers is improving… more

Jobless benefit applications remain stubbornly high

For the first time this month, the number of applications for unemployment benefits dropped nationwide. Last week, claims decreased slightly to 803,000 from 892,000 the week prior; a 89,000 drop in claims. Despite the promising decline, however small, claims remain… more

CARES Act extensions to take effect in Kansas

The Kansas Department of Labor (KDOL) is currently reviewing the unemployment extension provisions contained in H.R. 133. These extended provisions will provide additional unemployment compensation to unemployed Kansans impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. They also include new requirements that must… more

Proposed gas tax increase in Missouri could raise price in 2021

Missouri has one of the lowest gas taxes in the country, but one lawmaker is looking to change that in order to improve infrastructure across the state.  At present, Missouri’s motor fuel tax is 17 cents. Illinois has a 38-cent… more

Coping with COVID: KU Health, Stormont report fewer hospitalized COVID-19 patients at facilities

In a surprising turn considering being in the midst of a major holiday, Wednesday reports from The University of Kansas Health System and Stormont Vail Health show a decrease in the number of hospitalized COVID-19 patients within the health system.… more

Head of Kansas Labor Department steps down, governor selects acting Secretary

Governor Laura Kelly has appointed a new Acting Secretary of Labor for the state. Governor Laura Kelly says on Tuesday she appointed Deputy Secretary of the Kansas Department of Labor, Brett Flachsbarth, as the Acting Secretary of Labor. She said… more

November homes sales drop, but remain above year prior

Despite a drop in November existing home sales, the month still showed how strong the U.S. housing market remains. Sales fell for the first time since May, transaction volume remains just below its highest levels in nearly 15 years. Low… more