MANHATTAN – Officials at Kansas State University continue to investigate a sexual assault in a campus dorm.
The suspect in the assault was immediately identified and removed from residence hall property at the university, according to a media release.
The university also has taken additional steps to mitigate any risk to the campus community stemming from the incident.
Kansas State University Police advise members of the university community to be aware of their surroundings, don’t be left alone, report crimes immediately when they occur, and to report any suspicious activity.
WASHINGTON – Congressman Tim Huelskamp announced this week the nomination of the following young Kansans to the nation’s military service academies:
· Adam Campbell, son of Chris and Terry Campbell. He attends Junction City High School in Junction City. U. S. Military Academy Nomination, U. S. Naval Academy Nomination;
· Sarah Turner, daughter of William and Alissa Turner. She attends Junction City High School in Junction City. U. S. Military Academy Nomination; and
· Samuel Wittman, son of Randy and Sue Ann Wittman. He attended Council Grove High School in Council Grove. U. S. Air Force Academy Nomination
· Gabrielle Diederich, daughter of Daniel and Gerilyn Diederich. She attends Sacred Heart High School in Salina. U. S. Military Academy Nomination, U. S. Naval Academy Nomination;
· Isaac Housley, son of James and Shandra Housley. He attends Victoria High School in Victoria. U. S. Air Force Academy Nomination;
· Ivan Chavez, son of Hector and Marivel Chavez. He attends Dodge City High School in Dodge City. U. S. Naval Academy Nomination;
· Ronald Cooper, son of Ron and Pam Cooper. He attends Dodge City High School in Dodge City. U.S. Air Force Academy Nomination, U. S. Military Academy Nomination, U. S. Naval Academy Nomination;
· Caleb Hartzell, son of Rodney Hartzell and Marcie Mallette. He attends Concordia High School in Concordia. U. S. Air Force Academy Nomination;
· Cale Hinrichsen, son of Ronald and Lynne Hinrichsen. He attends Rock Creek High School in St. George. U. S. Air Force Academy Nomination;
· Martin Huffman, son of Marvin and Carolyn Huffman. He attended Andale High School in Andale. U. S. Air Force Academy Nomination;
Each year Congressman Huelskamp nominates outstanding young men and women to attend our nation’s military service academies. These individuals received these nominations following in-person interviews and evaluation from a board of Kansans on November 18 in Hutchinson.
“It was my privilege to nominate these fine young men and women. It was evident that they want to serve our nation. On behalf of the citizens of Kansas’ Big First, I want to thank our nominating committee for their efforts. I’m excited to see what the future holds for these select nominees!”
Spouses of deployed soldiers can enjoy the Melissa Etheridge concert at McCain Auditorium on the campus of Kansas State University for a discounted rate.
There are tickets available for the show on Sunday December 18th at 7:30 PM. The tickets, valued at $85 are available for the following rates:
If your Spouse is E1-E5, you pay $22.
If your Spouse is E6-O3, you pay $34.
If your Spouse is O4 and up, you pay $40.
The available seats are in the orchestra section. There are also spaces available for free transportation to and from the concert.
Tickets can be purchased at Leisure Travel Services, which is next to the USO and is open Monday-Friday 10:00 AM-5:00 PM.
The historic Carr Hall was recently renovated into a community and leasing center for residents of Fort Riley’s Historic Main Post neighborhood. The Corvias team worked closely with the local Historic Preservation Office to maintain the integrity of the original structure and its exterior, while
completing significant upgrades to the interior.
The center is located at the heart of Historic Main Post and is a central location providing easy access to the services and amenities offered. Leasing operations will be conducted at this convenient location where Corvias’ resident relocations specialists will offer their commitment and top-notch customer service to help newcomers and their families find their home upon arrival at Fort Riley.
The building now boasts state-of-the-art mechanical systems, HVAC and plumbing, as well as brand new interior finishes, furnishings and upgraded bathrooms. Amenities include multi-purpose rooms with fully equipped kitchens; a clubroom with televisions and comfortable seating; a Wi-Fi lounge; a poker-themed room; playrooms for children; and a full-service fitness center with elliptical machines, treadmills, a yoga studio and fitness-on-demand room.
Additionally, Corvias renovated and built five hospitality suites that are intended for residents who need temporary quarters. These are two-bedroom units with a kitchen, living room and Jack and Jill bathroom.
The Junction City Board of Realtors will host a Christmas Party on Saturday, December 17th at the Milford Lake Conference Center at Acorns Resort.
The party begins at 7:00 pm and attendees are asked to bring two canned food items per person to be donated to the Geary and Dickinson County food banks.
The event will include holiday fun with food, drinks, dancing, a cash drawing and a photo booth.
For more information contact the Junction City Area Chamber of Commerce at 762-2632.
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, this week praised the Senate’s unanimous passage of a bipartisan veterans care reform package (H.R. 6416), including the Moran-Blumenthal Toxic Exposure Research Act of 2016. These provisions prioritize studying toxic exposure and the potential connection of toxic exposure to heath conditions affecting descendants of veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during their military service.
“Those who dutifully serve our country do not expect their choice to serve will negatively impact the health of their children or grandchildren,” Sen. Moran said. “Often the impacts of toxic exposure don’t appear until long after veterans have returned home. We must address these painful wounds of war for future generations by understanding the health risks and symptoms of exposure. I am pleased that toxic exposure research was prioritized in this VA reform package, and that we may now begin to address the potential health conditions in family members of veterans exposed to toxic substances.”
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) National President John Rowan added: “Vietnam Veterans and their families owe a great debt of gratitude to Senator Moran and his staff for their dogged determination and dedication to our nation’s veterans—the senator came to our town hall meetings; he listened to the stories of our children and grandchildren; and he acted. Senator Moran and his staff worked tirelessly to ensure passage of this critical legislation which lays the groundwork for the research we need on the health of our children and grandchildren, whom we believe have been impacted by exposures during our military service—and in keeping with our founding principle, this legislation will ensure that our newer veterans will not have to wait 50 years for answers.”
Specifically, this legislation includes a scientific review and assessment conducted by National Academy of Medicine regarding toxicological and epidemiological research on descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. It also addresses the scope and methodology required to conduct adequate scientific research of descendants of individuals with toxic exposure. Additionally, it calls for the creation of a board to advise the VA Secretary and the research entity potentially conducting the research on toxic exposure.
Sen. Moran has been a vocal advocate for researching toxic exposure, securing the inclusion of a study on the subject during the April mark-up of the Fiscal Year 2017 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.
The U.S. House of Representatives previously approved H.R. 6416 by a vote of 419-0. Following its Saturday, Dec. 10, passage by the Senate, it now heads to the president’s desk for his signature.
Maj. Gen. Joseph Martin, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, and CSM Curt Cornelison, uncase the “Big Red One” colors during the Transfer of Authority ceremony Nov. 17 in Baghdad, Iraq. (photo credit: Spc. Anna Pongo, 1st Inf. Div. Public Affairs).
Note: Complete 1420 KJCK Audio follows the story.
Major General Joseph M. Martin, 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Commanding General, spoke exclusively with 1420 KJCK Tuesday morning, live from Iraq.
Maj. Gen. Martin and the 1st Infantry Division assumed command of the Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command – Operation Inherent Resolve from the 101st Airborne Division in November.
“The Iraqi security forces are in the midst of a long campaign to liberate all the cities within Iraq and right now we’re in Mosul, and Mosul’s a tough fight; just to give you perspective of just how tough this fight is – they’ve had two years to prepare their defense there, [and] Mosul has 1.5 million citizens, that’s 245,000 buildings – imagine a city that size and the daunting task of having to liberate that city from an enemy that’s been preparing for two years for your arrival – the good news is, the Iraqis continue to make progress each and every day,” said MG Martin.
Martin assumed command of the First Infantry Division on October 18th in an Assumption of Command Ceremony that doubled as a deployment ceremony. Thousands of miles from Fort Riley, Martin said he’s still checking in on the community. “I’ve been monitoring the activities from a distance, I saw what a great tree lighting ceremony we had and all the different activities we had to support the families and support the families that may not have the means to celebrate, there’s many different programs at Fort Riley to help those families so that they can have a great Christmas holiday like they deserve.”
The Fighting First are in the midst of celebrating 100 years as a Division; the official 100th anniversary celebrations are set to take place Summer 2017. Community members can look forward to seeing the Commanding General and deployed 1st Infantry Division troops in attendance.
“It wouldn’t be appropriate for me to talk about the exact end date but I can tell you that when we all celebrate the 100th anniversary of this great Division next summer, we’ll all be back home to do that together,” said Martin.
Maj. General Martin said that deployments during the Holiday season can be difficult for both the soldiers and the families that are left behind – but the support from families and the community doesn’t go unnoticed.
“From the soldiers of the Big Red One, I would like to extend a Happy Holiday season to everybody [back there]; knowing that we’re doing what we came in the Army to do, and we’re going to continue to do this mission, but we will never forget what you do for us by supporting us from back there,” said Martin.
The Director of the Geary County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau Connie Hall has confirmed that she will be retiring from that position this Friday, December 16.
Hall has been the CVB director for 16 years, and she has been employed with that department for 25 years.
Chamber of Commerce CEO Dennis Beson has now released of accomplishments for Hall during her tenure as CVB director.
Some of those include:
–Run for the Wall
–Cabela’s National Team ( Fishing ) Championship
–Larry McGill Legislative Fishing annual event
–Kansas State University Cabela’s Ahearn Scholarship Tournament
–Kansas i-70 Association ( charter board member & Past President
–Travel Industry Association of Kansas ( founding charter member, board of directors, membership chair )
Development projects included:
–Courtyard by Marriott Geary County Convention Center
–Buffalo Soldier’s Memorial
–Milford Lake Name the Pond Contest — Gathering Pond
Film Projects:
–The Missy Files
–Bender
–History in America at Sun Rock Ranch
–Kansas Department of Commerce Travel & Tourism Division production of statewide program
Awards Received include:
–2005 Friends of Education Award of Excellence
–U.S. Army Certificate of Appreciation
–Numerous TIAK awards ranging from Advertising and Print Media to the Traditional Multi-Media Marketing Award, Promotional Brochure and Visitors Guide.
Photo by Melinda Miner As Medicaid reimbursements drop in Kansas, fewer dentists are accepting patients and some are leaving the program. Melinda Miner, a dentist from Hays, compiled a map showing more than 20 western Kansas counties without a dentist who accepts Medicaid. The map includes the Medicaid population in each county as of 2011 in black and the number of dental providers she was able to contact who still accept Medicaid, which in Kansas is called KanCare, in red. Miner said she did not attempt to contact all the providers in high-population eastern Kansas counties like Johnson, Wyandotte, Shawnee and Sedgwick.
At 59 years old, Bill Miller is starting to have neck and back problems. Thirty-two years of bending over to check patients’ teeth and gums will do that, he said.
Miller is the only dentist in Hill City, a community of about 1,500 people northwest of Hays. He has treated Medicaid patients his entire career, even as reimbursements increasingly have lagged the cost of providing care.
Earlier this year the state cut those reimbursements another 4 percent as part of a host of emergency budget-balancing measures. Miller said that has him seriously considering dropping out of the Medicaid program.
“I realize the state’s in a world of hurt right now as far as their budget, but it’s a big problem,” he said. “I don’t know how it’s going to be solved.”
As the Legislature prepares to reconvene Jan. 9, Gov. Sam Brownback and lawmakers have a few ideas for restoring the 4 percent cut but have yet to agree on any specific plan amid larger budget problems.
Meanwhile, medical providers are weighing whether to continue seeing Medicaid patients — decisions that have the greatest impact in specialties like dentistry, and in rural places like western Kansas where many patients already drive hours to find care.
“It certainly is something that I am seriously considering not participating in in the future,” Miller said. “Just the economics of it — there’s no way to make it work and be profitable at all.”
Different ideas for restoring cuts
It’s not the first time Medicaid reimbursements have been cut in recent years.
Gov. Mark Parkinson, a Democrat, slashed them by 10 percent in 2009, when the state was trying to weather the Great Recession. But he and the Legislature restored the cut within months by passing a sales tax increase.
Brownback said in August that the 4 percent cut could be reversed if the Legislature agreed to increase a hospital tax, which would pull down more federal Medicaid money. Last month he reaffirmed that remains his preference.
“We still would like to do something like that,” Brownback said.
Legislators have been cool to that idea so far. Rep. Dan Hawkins, a Republican from Wichita who chairs the House Health and Human Services Committee, said that wasn’t the right way to find the $40 million needed to restore the cuts.
“Basically you’re going to tax the hospitals to give back to the hospitals,” Hawkins said. “Yeah, you’re going to pull down some federal dollars with that, but really we’re taxing them to give back to them. And why would we do that? I’m not sure that makes much sense.”
Instead, Hawkins suggested increasing a fee levied on the three managed care organizations (MCOs) that administer Kansas Medicaid, or KanCare.
That fee increase also draws down federal money — in this case, Hawkins said, enough to both pay back the MCOs and restore the $40 million cut.
“I think that’s a place we could look at that would not really affect anybody,” Hawkins said.
Melinda Miner, a dentist from Hays, says the dental provider networks in western Kansas are close to collapsing in many communities.
MCO tax also has consequences
That particular fee, though, also applies to private-sector insurance companies that run managed care plans, including health maintenance organizations, or HMOs.
The Legislature passed a bill last year that gave those companies the ability to sell HMO-like plans without paying the fee, but Hawkins said a couple of them —Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas and Aetna — still sell the traditional HMO plans that would be subject to the fee increase.
Brownback said that should be taken into account, but he didn’t rule out including Hawkins’ idea as part of a plan to restore the 4 percent cuts.
“We’d have to see what kind of mix to do and its impact on the MCOs, but there is a way to do this and that’s what we proposed even at the end of the last legislative session,” Brownback said. “I think we ought to do something like that, and we’ll see if the Legislature is open to it or not.”
“It’s not just the 4 percent cut. It’s been drastic underpayment for a long time.”
– Bill Miller, a dentist in Hill City, on low Medicaid reimbursement rates for dentists
Mary Beth Chambers, a spokeswoman for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, said her company would be less affected by a fee increase than some other insurers, because it only sells the HMO plans on the individual market and they make up a small part of the total business.
“Our stance is that any time taxes or fees are put on insurance companies, those costs, as administrative costs, get passed on to those buying the insurance,” Chambers said. “So we would caution legislators to keep that in mind.”
Hawkins said another option is to repeal a provision of Brownback’s signature 2012 tax plan that exempted about 330,000 business owners from paying any tax on “pass-through” business income.
That idea was part of a budget-balancing bundle promoted last week by a coalition of advocacy groups at the Statehouse.
Hawkins said repealing the business tax exemption would bring in about $260 million, of which $40 million could be diverted to restore the Medicaid cuts. But the state faces a budget gap of about $350 million in the current fiscal year and about $600 million in the next fiscal year, which begins July 1 — and that could swallow new tax revenue.
Brownback has opposed proposals to roll back the 2012 cuts in the past. His office has said it is working on a budget plan to be released soon.
Dental coverage waning
The 4 percent Medicaid cut hit a variety of providers: hospitals, nursing homes, psychiatrists and others.
But opposition has been particularly strong from dentists, who have not seen an increase in their Medicaid reimbursement rates since 2001. Even before the 4 percent reduction, Medicaid paid about 40 cents on the dollar compared to private dental insurance.
Nick Rogers, an Arkansas City dentist and president-elect of the Kansas Dental Association, told the Robert G. (Bob) Bethell Joint Committee on Home and Community Based Services and KanCare Oversight last month that the cut was likely to be a “final straw” for dentists who were leaning toward getting out of Medicaid.
He said access to dental care was already an issue for people on Medicaid in his part of the state — especially for Kansans with disabilities.
“These patients have the most complex needs, consume a disproportionate amount of our time — clinically and administratively — and have the lowest reimbursement,” Rogers said. “At some point in the near future, regardless of my social responsibility, we will be forced to discontinue our involvement (in Medicaid).”
Rogers said his practice was getting referrals for patients with special needs who live more than two hours away. His testimony echoed comments made months earlier by John Fasbinder, a Prairie Village dentist who also treats disabled Medicaid patients.
Melinda Miner, a dentist from Hays, told the committee that the dental provider networks in western Kansas are close to collapsing in many communities.
After contacting dentists throughout the region, Miner compiled a map showing more than 20 western counties without a single dentist who accepts Medicaid.
In an email to KHI News Service, Miner said she is among two dentists in Hays who have decided to stop taking it. She provided the names of two other dentists, one in Leoti and one in Great Bend, who she said have also dropped out of the program and eight more western Kansas dentists who she said are considering dropping out.
Miller, the dentist from Hill City, is one of them.
“I think everybody is,” he said. “And it’s not just the 4 percent cut. It’s been drastic underpayment for a long time.”
Getting out
Craig Sandlin is the office manager for his wife, Joanne Brown, the Leoti dentist. He confirmed that they stopped taking Medicaid patients as of the end of November.
Joanne Brown, left, works as a dentist in Leoti, and her husband Craig Sandlin, right, is her office manager. Sandlin confirmed that they stopped taking Medicaid patients as of the end of November after a recent cut to reimbursement rates.
Sandlin said the move affected more than 2,500 people and he’s not sure how far they will have to travel to find a dentist who takes new Medicaid patients.
Joanne Brown, left, works as a dentist in Leoti, and her husband Craig Sandlin, right, is her office manager. Sandlin confirmed that they stopped taking Medicaid patients as of the end of November after a recent cut to reimbursement rates.
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“The problem is there’s nobody in western Kansas anymore,” Sandlin said. “Everybody has gotten out.”
Michael Jones, a dentist in Russell, said he’s limiting his intake of new Medicaid patients to “very, very few” and is strongly considering not taking any more.
As the only dentist in a county of more than 6,000 people, Jones said he has all the patient load he needs and, at 57, is “no spring chicken.”
He said he treats Medicaid patients at a financial loss, but does it as a service to the community. A young dentist just starting out, with potentially more than $100,000 in student debt, would not have that option, Jones said.
He said it would be tough to find someone to replace him when he retires.
“Selling the small, rural practice is very difficult,” Jones said.
Sandlin said that once dentists get out of Medicaid, it will be hard for the state to bring them back, even if the reimbursement rates do increase.
He and his wife are paring staff now, and it would take more than a restoration of the 4 percent cut to convince them to rehire — in fact, it would take a substantial increase.
“That’s the problem they’re not realizing,” Sandlin said of state policymakers. “Once these doctors are out, you’re going to have to put a big carrot out there to get them back in. Because we’ve staffed to be out.”
Andy Marso is a reporter for KHI News Service in Topeka, a partner in the Heartland Health Monitor team. You can reach him on Twitter @andymarso
