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December 20: Ascension Via Christi Closes Emergency Department in Fort Scott

 

 

Ascension Via Christi will cease operations at its emergency department in Fort Scott on Wednesday, Dec. 20. This decision was made after a thorough analysis of trend data, patient census, and the current and future challenges and opportunities facing this facility.

 

Over the past several years, a multidisciplinary team that includes Ascension Via Christi clinical and operational leaders have been working together to understand the current operating environment at the Emergency Department in Fort Scott. This department has seen a steady decline in visits and its overall average daily census. These factors, coupled with other economic challenges, have limited the emergency department’s ability to continue operations.

 

“After exploring the options available, it was clear that this was the only option for us. There are other providers in the region positioned to serve the residents of Fort Scott and neighboring communities. These providers will help us ensure continuity of care for our patients as we approach closure,” says Drew Talbott, president of Ascension Via Christi Hospital in Pittsburg.

 

Ascension Via Christi is committed to supporting associates, patients and community members through this transition.

 

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About Ascension Via Christi

In Kansas, Ascension Via Christi operates seven hospitals and nearly 80 other sites of care and employs approximately 6,200 associates. In FY2023, Ascension Via Christi provided more than $65 million in community benefit programs. Serving Kansas for more than 135 years, Ascension is a faith-based healthcare organization committed to delivering compassionate, personalized care to all, with special attention to persons living in poverty and those most vulnerable. Ascension is the leading non-profit and Catholic health system in the U.S., operating more than 2,600 sites of care – including 145 hospitals and more than 40 senior living facilities – in 19 states and the District of Columbia. Visit www.ascension.org.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Agenda for the Bourbon County Commission for December 18

 

Bourbon County Courthouse

210 S. National Ave Fort Scott, KS 66701 Phone: 620-223-3800

Fax: 620-223-5832

 

Bourbon County, Kansas

Nelson Blythe

1st District Commissioner

Jim Harris, Chairman

2nd District Commissioner

Clifton Beth

3rd District Commissioner

 

 

Bourbon County Commission Agenda 210 S. National Ave.

Fort Scott, KS 66701

December 18, 2023 5:30 p.m.

 

 

  1. Call Meeting to Order
  2. Flag Salute
  • 2023 Budget Amendment Hearing
  1. Jennifer Hawkins-County Clerk
    1. Heartland Member Application
    2. REDI Gala
    3. Future Meetings

 

The Commission will reconvene at 401 Woodland Hills Blvd at 6:00 p.m.

 

  1. Executive Session KSA 75-4319 (b)(4)
  2. Approval of Consent Agenda
    1. Approval of Minutes from 12/11/2023
    2. Approval of Payroll Totaling $290,776.36
    3. Approval of Accounts Payable Totaling $448,457.08
  • Public Comments
  • Department Updates
    1. Public Works
  1. Commission Comments
  2. Adjourn Meeting

 

 

Executive Session Justifications:

 

KSA 75-4319 (b)(1) to discuss personnel matters of individual nonelected personnel to protect their privacy.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(2) for consultation with an attorney for the public body or agency which would be deemed privileged in the

attorney-client relationship.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(3) to discuss matters relating to employer/employee negotiations whether or not in consultation with the

representative(s) of               the body or agency.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(4) to discuss data relating to financial affairs or trade secrets of corporations, partnerships, trust and individual     proprietorships

KSA 75-4319 (b)(6) for the preliminary discussion of the acquisition of real property.

KSA 75-4319 (b)(12) to discuss matters relating to the security measures, if the discussion of such matters at an open meeting  would jeopardize such security measures.

Payroll 12-15-2023

Accounts Payable 12-15-2023

 

 

How Big is Your But? by Carolyn Tucker

Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

 

We often hear someone say, “I’ve got bad news and good news. Which do you want to hear first?” Mom would always tell me the positive ending of a catastrophe before giving the scary details. For example, she’d call and say, “Your Dad’s alright, but yesterday he fell in the garage and hit his head.” Several years ago, a guest speaker was invited to share his story at church. He spent the majority of his time sharing the horrible things he’d experienced in life, and then the last few sentences were about the miracles God had performed in the midst of his nightmare mess. As I left the building, I thought, “I would’ve rather heard 10% of the horrible and 90% of the wonderful ‘but God‘ part of his testimony.

 

The word ‘but‘ in scripture usually introduces the gracious and powerful intervention of God. There are many ‘but God’ scriptures and these two three-letter words are some of the best in the Bible. The phrase ’but God’ means that when everything seems broken,  useless, and hopeless, God gets involved and brings a miraculous change of events in our life. Here are a few examples:

 

In Genesis Chapter 7, God sent the flood and all the living things and people on earth were destroyed. He wiped out everything and everybody that wasn’t in the ark. The only people who survived the catastrophic flood were Noah and his seven family members. “But God remembered Noah and all the wild animals and livestock with him in the boat. He sent a wind to blow across the earth, and the floodwaters began to recede“ (Genesis 8:1 NLT.) God doesn’t forget us when we go through a personal chaotic storm.

 

However, simply knowing the promises of God is not the same as believing and standing on them. When we take God at His Word, we have what it takes to overcome overwhelming odds. “God can do anything, you know — far more than you could ever imagine or guess or request in your wildest dreams! He does it not by pushing us around but by working within us, His Spirit deeply and gently within us” (Ephesians 3:20 MSG.) There’s an unfortunate tendency among some Christ followers to keep God in a tiny box with a lid. This practice actually limits what God can do for us. Living an abundant life is a team effort with God as our I AM. We have to be united in purpose, obedient, and not bucking His system. He never intended for us to try to carry our burdens alone. When we take our hands off the mess and give it to the One who holds us in His hands, we’ll eventually experience a ‘but God’ outcome. Take the lid off and let God go to work.

 

God is a Redeemer and a Reverser. He takes people and circumstances and turns them completely around. BAM! Joseph’s brothers and others treated him cruelly and lied about him. After many years of God’s continual intervention in Egypt, Joseph was finally promoted and was able to say to his brothers: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people” (Genesis 50:20 NLT.) God literally took Joseph from the pit to the palace.

 

When Paul reached Macedonia he was exhausted from the troubles he’d experienced at every turn. And then He said, “But God, who encourages those who are discouraged, encouraged us by the arrival of Titus” (2 Corinthians 7:6 NLT.)

 

The Key: Let’s focus on the bigger ‘but God’ story when we find ourselves in a mess.

Empower Yourself to Make Better Financial Decisions  

Cassidy Lutz
K-State Research and Extension 
Family and Consumer Science Agent 
Southwind District 
211 W. Butler 
Yates Center, KS 66783
620-625-8620

 

Did you know that one in five people have an error on at least one of their credit reports according to a study conducted by the Federal Trade Commission? The three national credit reporting agencies are required by the Fair Credit Reporting Act to provide a consumer with a free copy of their credit report each year if they request it. Despite this, according to the most recent data available, only one in three Kansans check their credit report annually and Kansas adults rank at or near the bottom of the 50 states in checking their credit reports each year.

 

Credit is a tool many of us use for managing our financial lives. We use credit to achieve not only long-term goals, such as higher education and home ownership but also shorter-term goals. A credit report is an explanation of an individual’s credit history. Lenders and creditors use the information in this report when deciding whether or not to lend to us, how much credit to extend and what interest rate to charge. Landlords and utility companies use the information in credit reports to make decisions about deposits. Employers use the information prior to hiring or before allowing employees access to company-sponsored credit cards for company business expenses. Regularly checking your credit reports is one way to identify and guard against identity theft. It is recommended that consumers check their credit reports annually.

 

K-State Research and Extension has an email program called “Check Your Credit” that will remind you to check your credit report three times during the year on 2/2, 5/5, and 8/8. Through this program, you will also be sent periodic emails with information about how to understand your credit report, correct errors, and use your credit report to your advantage. You will also be sent a tool to help you keep track of what credit bureau you have checked and dates that you did them on.

 

Take a step towards financial well-being today by signing up for K-State Research and Extension’s “Check Your Credit” email program at https://bit.ly/SouthwindSaves2. For more information contact Cassidy Lutz at [email protected] or by calling 620-625-8620. I am excited to support you as you act to enhance your financial well-being!

 

 

Successful Downtowns Major Components

Amanda Clasen- Community Vitality Agent    

 

 

I recently participated in a book study with colleagues over “13 Ways To Kill Your Community” by author Doug Griffiths. Griffiths visits common issues that communities face when they begin to struggle and see the population relocating when trouble seeps into a community. Change in a small town is often difficult. Griffith’s publication works hand in hand with a First Friday E-Call with Nancy Daniels of K-State Research and Extension. Daniels hosted Scott Sewell, from Kansas Mainstreet to share  his organization and their offerings to small-town businesses and local main street revitalization. Part of his presentation focused on what success looks like for downtown/main streets. Sewell lists the following as key components to a successful downtown:

Open and Thriving Downtown- A thriving business district builds a positive image for your entire community. It will also attract new businesses, create new jobs and keep local dollars in your community. Even businesses outside of the “downtown” area should be concerned with how the downtown area is healthy and viable.

Maintained Buildings– Looking at a main street, often look at how many of the buildings within that downtown district are upkept and functional. How many of those buildings located in the blocks of the main street are condemned and not functional for any new opportunities to open within the community? In “13 Ways To Kill Your Community” author Griffiths talks about how a coat of paint can change the character and looks of a vibrant downtown, enticing people to visit and become a part of the culture.

Utilization of Public Space– Having space that is open for the public to utilize to host events to bring more individuals into the community is a vital part to success. An event that brings people that don’t reside in the community, will bring more revenue to the town and in return those people may return at a different time to revisit a new favorite location within the town.

A Place to Live– Many older buildings in the main street areas were once used for a housing opportunity above businesses. In the past few years many towns and business owners have started to revitalize those spaces as apartments or short-term rentals. How many businesses in your main street district have livable spaces to use or renovate into functional living spaces? Swell mentions that 4-6% of the population in past towns they have visited are interested in living in downtown loft apartments.

Includes Culture and History- A main street that in-cooperates and exhibits the history of the town and past main street businesses will also preserve the historical character of the whole community.  Swell talks about the importance of building in downtown, builds assets that are easily noticeable by the architectural aspects, a sense of place as well as a personal service that you can’t find anywhere else.

A “Cool” Environment- Unique features within the downtown area, make people want to visit and spend time with local businesses and want to return to enjoy those features they cannot get at another location.

For more resources to help in your community, please contact your local chamber, local revitalization groups or Amanda Clasen, Community Vitality Agent, at [email protected]  or at any Southwind Extension office. To sign up for upcoming Friday E-Calls Visit https://bit.ly/3NeEYMx

Obituary of Joaquina Naveira

Joaquina Naveira, resident of Farlington, KS, formerly of Elizabeth, NJ, died Tuesday, December 12, 2023, in Farlington. She was born August 16, 1937, in Cuba, the daughter of Eugenio and
Regina Garcia. She married Nicholas Humberto Naveira in Cuba on October 27, 1963.

He preceded her in death on June 9, 2023. They arrived with their son in the United States in 1969 and settled in New Jersey. Joaquina worked several factory jobs in her early career. She was a
wonderful cook and seamstress.

Survivors include a son, Jose Naveira, and wife Becky, Fort McKavett, TX; a daughter, Daisy Naveira, Farlington, KS; 2 granddaughters, Emily Naveira, Cincinnati, OH, and Ashley Naveira,
Arlington, VA; 4 brothers; and 1 sister in Cuba.

Besides her husband, she was preceded in death by 2 brothers, 1 sister, and her parents.

Chaplain Adam Parrish will conduct graveside services at 2:00 PM Wednesday, December 20  at the Farlington Cemetery. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook
at cheneywitt.com.

Depression by Patty LaRoche

Patty LaRoche. 2023.
Author: A Little Faith Lift…Finding Joy Beyond Rejection
www.alittlefaithlift.com
AWSA (Advanced Writers & Speakers Assoc.)

Cases of depression are at an all-time high, and for far too many people, the Christmas season exacerbates the problem. Shopping creates emotional stress as credit cards are maxed out in order to keep those little kiddies happy. Many feel overwhelmed by the endless television promotions of holiday celebrations, knowing they don’t measure up. I get it.  Their tables would make Martha Stewart envious.  Seriously.  I mean, who has a table big enough to hold 16 Lenox China place settings? Still, adults aren’t the only ones suffering.

Schools today are spending much of their resources, hiring mental health counselors to help students cope, and pharmaceutical companies are making billions on drugs intended to reduce anxiety and depression. At a doctor’s visit this past week, I was asked a routine question: “Are you depressed?”  I knew she didn’t mean the usual feelings of working through the stress of Christmas travels or being sad because I didn’t lose the weight I vowed to lose for the last several New Years’ Eve resolutions.  She was talking about the overriding feeling of being down with no hope.  Just a few years ago, that question was not asked in a doctor’s office.

Yesterday, I visited with a local woman who shared the story of her relative who spent years suffering from drug-induced depression, and after multiple stays in the penitentiary, decided to come clean and turn back to Jesus. For over two years, he has held a job, been promoted to management, and now speaks to students, warning them never to start drugs.  His heart-felt prayer at Thanksgiving, I was told, caused every adult to tear up.

A few days ago, I met a woman who is seeking answers for her granddaughter who feels hopeless and claims she is picked on in school.  Her medication doesn’t seem to help.

Granted, there are people who need medicine.  But there are some who do not.  They just need Jesus.  Of course, our laws prohibit us from sharing this answer with our students or our employees or our soldiers or our patients.  We who can offer Hope, are told we cannot.  And yes, for some, the answer is medicine-plus-Jesus, but we don’t even give him a chance to make a difference.

It makes no sense.  If you had a migraine and I had a pill that would cure your headache, should I not be able to tell you about it?  If your marriage were on the rocks and I had a way to solve your problem, should our legislative body deny me the right to explain such Hope to you?  If your company was about to go belly-up and I had an answer to keep you in the black, should anyone keep me from speaking up?

Finding 2023 statistics on how many people suffer from depression led to ads on specific drugs to reduce depression, but Rexulti did promote its company by saying this: “Major depressive disorder is a serious medical illness affecting an estimated 21 million American adults…A large study showed that 2 out of 3 people taking an antidepressant still experienced symptoms of depression.”

Someone posted this:     “When Elijah said ‘Lord, I want to die,’ God gave him the strength to live.  Depression is real. But so is God.  Anxiety is real. But so is hope.”

The worst thing we Christians can do is to judge those who suffer with mental health struggles. But we should be allowed to intersect faith and mental health by supporting and loving those who seek answers. By offering them the Hope that Jesus offers.

 

Expanding Medicaid in Kansas

Governor Kelly Unveils Middle-of-the-Road Medicaid Expansion Legislation

~~Proposes Expanding Medicaid at No Additional Cost to Kansas Taxpayers~~ 

HOLTON – Today at Holton Hospital, Governor Laura Kelly unveiled the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act to expand Medicaid, a state and federal health insurance program, to an estimated 150,000 Kansans at no additional cost to state taxpayers. The commonsense legislative proposal builds on previous bipartisan Medicaid Expansion proposals to address Republican concerns, including by making the bill revenue-neutral.

The introduction of this legislation follows the months-long “Healthy Workers, Healthy Economy” tour in which the Governor rallied healthcare workers, farmers and ranchers, business leaders, faith leaders, and rural Kansans across the state in support of Medicaid Expansion. The bill would expand health coverage to working Kansans who currently make too much money to qualify for Medicaid but don’t receive health insurance through work or make too little to afford private health insurance.

“Each year I’ve been in office, I have introduced a bill to expand Medicaid with support from both sides of the aisle. The year, we’re going a step further to meet Republicans in the middle, putting forward a plan that would cut healthcare costs, create jobs, and grow our economy – all at no additional cost for Kansas taxpayers,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “We have taken such a bipartisan approach to incorporate what I’ve been hearing from Kansans during my tour and to reflect conversations we’ve had with Republican lawmakers. Now, there’s no excuse – at this point, every legislator standing in the way of Medicaid expansion is going against a commonsense, fiscally responsible proposal that benefits their constituents.

“As Governor Kelly’s ‘Healthy Workers, Healthy Economy’ tour highlighted, Medicaid expansion is an obvious solution to provide healthcare to hardworking Kansans and to support our hospitals,” said Ed O’Malley, President and CEO of the Kansas Health Foundation. “We appreciate that, by putting forward this measured proposal, Governor Kelly is clearly working to bring Republicans to the table. That’s what’s needed to get Medicaid expanded in Kansas.”

Addressing key Republican concerns, the Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act:

Comes at no additional cost to Kansas taxpayers. The federal government pays for 90% of the costs to expand Medicaid, while states pay 10%. Under this proposal, the state’s 10% share is completely covered by drug rebates, a hospital fee, savings from higher reimbursement rates for existing Medicaid recipients, and additional federal funding. This does not include expected additional revenue from Kansas businesses boosted by a healthier workforce or reduced state expenditures on incarceration and state services because of a healthier population.

“My goal is to ensure Kansans’ tax dollars never go to waste, which is why I support this approach to expanding Medicaid,” said Kansas Senator Carolyn McGinn. “Right now, Kansans’ federal tax dollars are going to support hospitals and jobs in states like New York, California and every state adjacent to us instead of being invested in the people of Kansas.”

“It makes no sense to me that, while 40 other states have expanded Medicaid, we have not. Our tax dollars are going to every one of our neighboring states, while healthcare costs rise and hospitals close here in Kansas,” said Kansas Representative Dave Younger. “By including a work requirement and making sure Kansas taxpayers won’t pay for Medicaid expansion, this proposal addresses many of the concerns my Republican colleagues have had. Now, those in leadership positions need to let this topic be debated and voted on.”

Grows the Kansas workforce. This compromise proposal goes a step further than Governor Kelly’s other Medicaid Expansion proposals by including a work requirement for Medicaid enrollees to ensure Kansas’ workforce remains strong. There will be exceptions to this requirement, including for full-time students, full-time caretakers, veterans, and Kansans with medical conditions.

The bill will also reduce uncompensated care costs – the costs healthcare providers take on when uninsured patients can’t afford to pay a medical bill — which will allow providers to compete for healthcare workers in an environment in which all the states surrounding Kansas have now expanded Medicaid.

“This proposal addresses a lot of the concerns I’ve heard from Republican colleagues by including a work requirement and multiple funding streams to ensure Kansas taxpayers won’t foot the bill for Medicaid expansion,” said Kansas Senator John Doll. “I urge my Republican colleagues to join me in supporting this bill to ensure our rural hospitals stay open, to cut healthcare costs and lower taxes, and to get affordable healthcare to more working Kansans.”

Improves public safety. For too long, prisons and jails have been shouldering the burden of providing medical care to uninsured inmates at their own expense. Governor Kelly worked with the law enforcement community to include this provision so that law enforcement can redirect those resources to focus on keeping Kansans safe. This would also reduce pressure on local governments to increase property taxes for correctional healthcare costs.

“This bill provides relief for county jails like the Sedgwick County Jail, which have been burdened with covering the high costs of health care for uninsured inmates,” said Sedgwick County Sheriff Jeffrey Easter. “If this part of the expansion proposal were to pass, it would cut down on expenses for local taxpayers and ease up resources so our law enforcement can focus on public safety.”

 ”I support expanding Medicaid with this provision to include health coverage for recently admitted inmates,” said Douglas County Sheriff Jay Armbrister. “We have seen benefits and cost savings in working with local providers for having health care rates that match Medicaid. Doing so takes the financial and administrative burden of providing that care off counties and keeps our attention focused on our top priority: public safety.”

Language for the proposed Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansas Act is available here.

Background information about the proposed Cutting Healthcare Costs for All Kansans Act is available here.