HUTCHINSON, Kan. — An informational meeting sponsored by the Citizens for the Moderation of our Democracy is scheduled for Monday, May 23, 2016, in the Theatre of the Shears Technology Building on the Hutchinson Community College campus.
“Medicaid Expansion” will feature panel speakers Mr. Ken Johnson, President/CEO of Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System; Mr. Mike Garrett, CEO of Horizons Mental Health Center; and Mr. Sheldon Weisgrau, Director of the Health Reform Resource Project.
Ken Johnson has been with HRHS since early 2011, starting as chief financial officer. He was named chief operating office in 2014. After his early days in Hutchinson, he worked at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Wichita; Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center in Anniston, Alabama; Charter Behavioral Health System in Wichita; Via Christi Regional Medical Center in Wichita; and Galichia Heart Hospital in Wichita.
Mike Garrett is the chief executive officer of Horizons Mental Health Center and a Licensed Clinical Psychotherapist. He has worked for Horizons for 35 years, the last eight serving as the CEO. Horizons is a member of the Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas (ACMHCK). Garrett has served as President of the ACMHCK for the past two years.
Sheldon Weisgrau is the Director of the Health Reform Resource Project, a foundation-supported initiative to provide education and technical assistance while representing consumers in the health policy debate in Kansas. Sheldon has more than 30 years of experience in health policy. He has worked effectively in the public, private, and non-profit sectors to ensure the delivery of health care services in rural and underserved communities and to enhance the knowledge and engagement of health care consumers, providers, and policymakers. Sheldon earned his undergraduate degree from Cornell University and a master’s degree in health policy and management from the Johns Hopkins University School of Public Health.
They will be discussing the current legislative decision to give back over $1.5 million/day of federal monies that could help thousands of uninsured/underinsured Kansans.
The MOD Squad is looking for moderate-minded people who would like to work to bring our state back to a more balanced legislature.
“To engage and inspire change in public policy by facilitating a healthy democracy for all Kansans through compromise and nonpartisanship. We will achieve this by supporting: public education from birth to postsecondary; a fair and progressive tax policy; a strong middle-class; legislation that supports the community-at-large; and candidates who share our vision.”