Dan Deming                Sheriff Randy Henderson

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – As we have been telling you, Reno County Commission Chair Dan Deming is questioning what he sees as excessive overtime for personnel at the Reno County Correctional Facility. During the County Commission meeting, he read a summary of a report he says he has been working on for some time and talked about the excess overtime.

Deming noted that over the past two years, the county added eight new jail positions which they needed because of the increased space in the new jail. The cost of the new positions according to Deming is $334,000 which is reflected in the 2016 budget.

But, he says there has been overtime paid which has been over budget since 2013 of more then $724,680 which he says is more then double over what was budgeted. That includes the first three quarters of this year.

The total since 2013 totals $1,406,540 according to Deming. He says the jail was budgeted for about $695,000 in overtime during this time period.

But, Sheriff Randy Henderson told the commission that the numbers are not accurate. He also commented on the way Commissioner Deming brought forward this issue saying he could have come to him and they could worked together as a team. Sheriff Henderson and also notes that with the overall budget of his department, they not over budget, in fact have worked hard to make sure they are within their budget. .

Sheriff Henderson says that they started the year with a $20,000 bill because no one in his department or with county administration caught that an insurance payment for the new jail was due.

Deming also mentioned in his report that the sheriff has high paid staff working in the jail such as detectives and patrol officers. Sheriff Henderson says that is simply not true, in fact says no detectives or patrol officers have been working in the correctional facility since it opened.

In the end, they agreed to try to work together to bring some the cost of overtime, but not before the sheriff told Deming that he’s an elected official and that the county commission can tell him the numbers for his budget, but not how to spend that money. He also told Deming to stop trying to micro-managing his people.

By ANDY MARSO

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.

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.

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.
View larger photo

“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

 

HUTCHINSON, Kan. – The annual Adopt A Child program in partnership with Kansas Department for Children and families, Peoples Bank and Trust, and Eagle Radio Station, Country 102.9 is a big success with all of the kids on the list being adopted, but also thanks to the generosity of those in the community will have a very Merry Christmas.

This is our 26th year in partnering with the program and sadly the list does grow each year. 246 kids were adopted by listeners this year and bought numerous presents no doubt costing thousands of dollars.

But, the turn in party Friday night showed the generosity of the community and kept radio station and Peoples Bank Staff busy for a couple of hours Friday night.

Those who brought presents for the Adopt-A-Child program were treated to Pizza Ranch pizza, soda or coffee, cookies and candy.

PRA of Hutchinson as always was a big sponsors of 100 plus children this year. A big thanks to them and their generosity.

Some of those who will benefit from this effort will pick up their gifts here at the Eagle Media Center in Hutchinson, while other will be delivered to the Kansas Department of Children and Families in area counties.

Thanks Hutchinson for helping us help others in such a big way.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — A prominent business man and the founder of Peel’s Salon Service has died. Robert Henry “Bob” Peel, died at his home on Tuesday. He was 89. Peel was born Jan. 14, 1927, in Tulsa, Oklahoma, to Robert Henry and Lillie Mae (Garbett) Peel.

Bob spent most of his life in Hutchinson, graduating from Hutchinson High School in 1944. He attended Hutchinson Community College for one semester before joining the United States Navy in 1945. After his one and a half years of service to the United States Navy, he returned to Hutchinson and married his wife of 65 years, Esther “Lou” Benson, who died in July of 2013.

Bob had a 67-year career with Peel’s Salon Service. By 2010, Peel’s Salon Service had grown to 700 employees, with four distribution centers and 60 stores. In 1985, Lou, Bob Sr., Bob Jr., and Kris were on the hijacked TWA Flight 847. All family members survived the ordeal, but it changed their lives forever. Raising money and supporting multiple charities became a family focus. In 2013, The Bob and Lou Peel Allied Health Center at Hutchinson Community College was created.

Bob will be forever remembered by his family: children, Bob and Kris Peel, Bill and Susan Peel; along with many grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents. Funeral service will be 3:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at Park Place Christian Church, 2600 N. Adams, Hutchinson, with Pastor David Dubovich presiding. Military honors will be conducted by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Private family burial will take place in Memorial Park Cemetery, Hutchinson. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Sunday, with the family present from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Sunday at Elliott Mortuary.

A Celebration of Life reception for all of Bob’s friends will be held starting at 4:00 p.m. Monday, Dec. 12, at the Hutchinson Town Club, 200 E. Sherman St.. In lieu of flowers, a memorial to the Hutchinson Community College Endowment Association has been established.

WICHITA, Kan. — The federal trial for a Goddard man accused of numerous robberies including the holdup of the North Main Dillon’s store in Hutchinson has been delayed once again at the request of the defense.

The trial for 25-year-old Austan Kinnaird is now set for January 24. It is the third continuance in the trial which was to begin next week. Kinnaird faces a federal indictment for holding up the Hutchinson Dillon’s store along with two other Dillon’s, and a Golf pro shop in Wichita.

He was originally arrested in connection with the April 29, robbery of the Intrust Bank in the Dillon’s store at 9450 E. Harry in Wichita and was then indicted on the other four robberies.

Kinnaird is accused of walking into the Hutchinson Dillon’s March 11 and telling the clerk he had a weapon and wanted money. He then made off on foot with an undetermined amount of cash.

The robbery forced Hutchinson USD 308 to place HMS-8 into lockdown while police searched for a suspect.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Kansas Bureau of Investigation is working on an independent investigation into Tuesday’s fatal officer-involved shooting at a home in Hutchinson, according to a media release.

Once completed, the findings will be turned over to the Reno County Attorney for review.

The KBI had agents and a crime scene reconstruction team on the scene Tuesday. Preliminary information indicates that, shortly after 2:00 a.m., two officers from the Hutchinson Police Department arrived at a residence at 3503 N. Ridgewood in Hutchinson in response to a 911 call. After entering the residence, they encountered a man with a firearm. Both officers discharged their firearms, fatally injuring him.

The victim was later identified as 55-year-old Richard R. Jones of Hutchinson.

No further information was released late Tuesday.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Early Tuesday morning around 2:00, Hutchinson Police officers were dispatched to 3503-A Ridgewood regarding a “trouble with subject” call.

The reporting party was unclear as to the nature of the problem, however at the request of the reporting party, the officers entered the residence and began securing the home to ensure everyone’s safety. As the officers were announcing their presence, they encountered an individual in a bedroom of the residence armed with a handgun. The individual pointed the gun at officers, forcing the officers to fire their weapons upon the individual. This situation resulted in the death of 55-year-old Richard R. Jones of Hutchinson.

There were no injuries to the two officers involved, both of which have been placed on administrative leave pending the outcome of the investigation by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

The investigation into this officer-involved shooting is being led by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.

HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The executive committee of the Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce will meet next week to decide which direction they will go in finding their next president.

Current President Jason Ball will leave for a similar position in South Dakota next Month.

The committee hopes to work with chamber members to find an Interim CEO and then decide how to proceed with finding Ball’s replacement. Plans are to put together a search committee, but how that will be assembled and how they will search for the next leader of the chamber is unknown at this time.

That meeting is set for next Tuesday.