Volume 124, Number 155 Thursday, October 3, 2013 Opinion Other

Viewpoints

Heed hospitals about Medicaid Gov. Sam Brownback is reluctant to expand Medicaid be- cause he is concerned that the federal government won’t honor its promise to pay for it. He should be more concerned about how KanCare isn’t paying Kansas hospitals. And how not al- lowing the Medicaid expansion hurts the hospitals even more. When Brownback proposed having private insurance com- panies manage Medicaid, hospitals and other providers wor- ried about not being paid on time. After all, that is what hap- pened in other states that privatized Medicaid. But Brownback offi cials said that incentives in the contracts with the insurance companies would help ensure timely payments. Almost 10 months into privatization, that isn’t happening. Hospitals across the state are still fi ghting to get paid. In “the past three months, we’ve averaged approximately 400-plus thousand dollars a month in denials,” Matt Leary, the chief fi nancial offi cer at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, told The Eagle. That’s more than fi ve times what Wesley aver- aged last year. Via Christi Health has had similar problems, seeing a nearly 50 percent increase in Medicaid claims that remained unpaid 90 days or more. Baseball retires one of the greats Smaller hospitals are also frustrated. Allen Van Driel, chief executive of Smith County Memorial Hospital near the Ne- If you’re a baseball fan, you know about George Brett 665, Napoleon Lajoie 657, Carl Todd Helton, who stepped out of “The Show” Yastrzemski 646, 640, Henry braska border, recently said his hospital had yet to receive a Sunday at Dodgers Stadium after 17 glorious Steve Aaron 624, Paul Molitor and 605, single correct payment from one insurance company. years with the . Haynes Cal Ripken Jr. 603, 601, Luis “The party line is that the managed-care plans are working If you’re not, let me tell you. Gonzales 596. Of those, only Musial, Biggio, and that KanCare is a huge success, that it’s processing claims Helton played all his 17 years in Major • Along the Brett, Yastrzemski and Ripkin – and Helton, and all that,” Van Driel told the Kansas Health Institute New League Baseball wearing No. 17 for the Rock- Sappa of course – played their entire career for one Service. “But that’s simply not factual.” ies, and that itself is an accomplishment not team. Sandra Montes, the director of patient fi nancial services at that many Hall of Fame players can claim. He was known not just as a great player and Southwest Medical Center in Liberal, complained that “we His stellar hitting and precise fi elding gave Oh, and how he responded. He knocked the a nice guy, but as a practical joker, a tenacious sometimes feel like we’re beating our heads against the wall.” him statistics that impress: category after cat- ball out of the park his fi rst time up, drove in opponent and a leader on the fi eld. He was Brownback offi cials have described such problems as egory in the top 100 players in records kept for a with a sacrifi ce fl y the next time and still a baseball star at Tennessee, but also was in well over a century. If anyone is a shoo-in for another with a (No. 592 in his career). line to be the starting quarterback until he was “bumps in the road.” But these bumps are causing big head- the Hall of Fame, it’s Todd Helton. All that made for one long game, marred only pushed aside by a younger guy named Peyton aches for hospitals. But until the last week, Helton, who’s nor- by the fact that the Rockies lost 15-5 to the Manning. They are fast friends to this day. Hospitals will be hurt even more by Brownback’s refusal to mally pretty shy, has tried to keep out of the best-in-baseball Red Sox. Sunday, the fi nal game of the season began allow a federal expansion of Medicaid. That is because fewer limelight as much as he could – for a guy Helton’s statistics place him squarely with a video tribute prepared by the Dodgers patients will have health insurance and because the Affordable whose workday involved 30,000 to 40,000 among the all-time stars: fi ve all-star games, and famed announcer Vin Scully. The fans Care Act reduces payments to hospitals that serve low-income onlookers. In his retirement week, though, he the 2000 batting title, three stood and cheered, as they would every time uninsured patients (in expectation that those patients will join seemed to enjoy the attention, taking curtain Gold Gloves at fi rst, four Silver Sluggers, he came up. The Dodgers stood and cheered. Medicaid). calls in Denver and Los Angeles, leading the 2,519 hits (93rd all-time), 316 lifetime batting The Rockies closed the year by beating the As for Brownback’s fear that the federal government won’t team around the fi eld to shake hands with fans average (69th), 414 on-base percentage (26th), Dodgers in their last two games, 1-0 and 2-1. honor its funding promise, U.S. Health and Human Services after the fi nal home game. 2,247 games played (121st), 1,401 runs scored And at the end of the last night, when Helton He gave his farewell in a recording on the (91st), 592 doubles (fi rst among active players, came up for the very last time, everyone – the Secretary Kathleen Sebelius addressed that at a Council of big scoreboard screen, but I’m sure he’d have 16th all-time), 369 home runs (74th), 1,406 Dodgers, the fans, his teammates – stood and State Governments conference last weekend in Kansas City, choked up if he’d tried to do it live. After the runs batted in (72nd), 1,335 walks (35th), 998 cheered, clapped and shouted. Helton struck Mo. She noted that the expansion is “fully funded within the game, even the players waited extra-base hits (36th). out, but it didn’t matter. He tipped his hat and health care bill” and that states can always opt out later if the to shake his hand. On defense, he was even better: double got “high-fi ves” all the way through the dug- federal government reneges on the funding. What a night that was. Before the game, plays made 2,028 (third), errors 79 (sixth low- out. Sebelius also said that the important conversations that need the Rockies presented Helton and his family est), games at fi rst 2,178 (fi fth), putouts at fi rst to happen are between state political leaders and the local hos- with a horse. His wife and daughters were with 18,889 (13th), fi elding percentage 996 (sixth). Steve Haynes is president of Nor’West News- pitals and communities that will “bear the cost of uncompen- him to share the moment. The fans stood and His salary topped $20 million in 2011. papers. When he has the time, he’d rather be sated care.” cheered every time he took the fi eld or stepped Just the list of 15 players who more dou- reading a good book or casting a fl y. The hospitals are talking. Will Brownback listen? to the plate. And at the start of the ninth inning, bles is enough to give a baseball person goose- his daughters ran out and stole fi rst base, drag- bumps: Tris Speaker 792, 746, Stan – The Wichita Eagle, via the Associated Press ging it off as a souvenir. Musial 725, Ty Cobb 724, Craig Biggio 668,

We encourage comments on opinions expressed on this page. Mail them to the Colby Free Press, 155 W. Fifth St., Colby, Kan., 67701, or e-mail colby.editor @ nwkansas.com. Opinions do not necessar- ily refl ect those of the Free Press, its staff or the owners. Is the answer blowing in the wind? With each passing day there’s more interest ers with the conversion station. There are no in the Grain Belt Express Clean Line transmis- restrictions to prevent other power generation sion project. This is the proposed direct cur- John companies from accessing the line or to pre- COLBY FREE PRESS rent (DC) electric transmission line that would Schlageck vent power produced outside of Kansas from 155 W. Fifth St. (USPS 120-920) (785) 462-3963 run from near Spearville north and east across connecting with the project. Colby, Kan. 67701 fax (785) 462-7749 the state to the Kansas-Missouri border. • Insights All Kansas citizens, landowners and busi- Thousands of farmers and ranchers who live Kansas Farm Bureau nesses deserve a thorough examination of Send news to: colby.editor @ nwkansas.com and work along the proposed route of this proj- these issues before fi nal approval is given. The State award-winning newspaper, General Excellence, Design & Layout, ect may need to alter their practices if the line Kansas Corporation Commission will conduct Columns, Editorial Writing, Sports Columns, News, Photography. is built across their property. property lines,” Irvin says. “Landowners may an evidentiary hearing, open to the public, Offi cial newspaper of Thomas County, Colby, Brewster and Rexford. Like other Kansans, farmers and ranchers be able to maximize the potential of their land concerning the proposed Clean Line project. Sharon Friedlander - Publisher understand the importance of developing our and minimize logistical inconvenience – even The hearing is slated for 9 a.m., Tuesday sfriedlander @ nwkansas.com state’s wind resources. They also realize that if a line is built on their property.” through next Thursday, in the fi rst fl oor hear- NEWS in order to maximize the potential for wind de- Developers must restore damage to grass- ing room at the Kansas Corporation Com- R.B. Headley - Sports Editor velopment, transmission lines are necessary to lands and compensate for crop damage result- mission Topeka offi ce, 1500 S.W. Arrowhead colby.sports @ nwkansas.com move power to population centers across the ing from activity associated with the building, Road. Marian Ballard - Copy Editor state and the nation. maintenance and operation of the line. mballard @ nwkansas.com If Grain Belt is successful in building this “Transmission line easements often try to John Schlageck of the Kansas Farm Bureau Sam Dieter - News Reporter transmission line, nearly 1,000 more wind shift or place liability for any unintended or is a leading commentator on agriculture and colby.editor @ nwkansas.com towers could go online in southwestern Kan- inadvertent damage to structures to the land- rural Kansas. He grew up on a diversifi ed Heather Alwin - Society Editor sas. This could result in an economic boom for owner,” Irvin says. “The KCC should require farm near Seguin, and his writing refl ects a colby.society @ nwkansas.com a part of the state that is reeling from extended developers to assume and manage that risk.” lifetime of experience, knowledge and passion. ADVERTISING drought and the impact of the declining Ogal- Transmission lines have the potential to in- colby.ads @ nwkansas.com lala Aquifer on the grain and feedlot industries. terfere with modern agricultural technologies Kathryn Ballard - Advertising Representative Utilities building transmission lines in Kan- that is expensive and provides necessary, valu- kballard @ nwkansas.com sas should look at options that minimize the able data to farmers and ranchers about their Where to write, call Kylee Hunter - Graphic Design impact on landowners and create positive production practices. khunter @ nwkansas.com long-term relationships between agriculture “We strongly suggest that before the KCC U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, 109 Hart Sen- BUSINESS OFFICE and industry. approves any transmission line routes in Kan- ate Offi ce Building, Washington, D.C. Offi ce Manager Compensation should be paid annually and sas, that studies be conducted to show poten- 20510. (202) 224-4774 Melissa Edmondson - Offi ce Manager based on the fair market value of the property tial impacts and efforts be made by developers medmondson @ nwkansas.com impacted by transmission line easements or to minimize interference to landowners, their roberts.senate.gov/public/ Evan Barnum - Systems Administrator restrictions, says Mike Irvin, Kansas Farm Bu- property and operations.” U.S. Sen. Jerry Moran, 354 Russell support @ nwkansas.com reau legislative counsel. If lines impact farm Are there other unknown and possible unin- Senate Offi ce Building, Washington, D.C. NOR’WEST PRESS or ranching operations or requires alteration of tended consequences? 20510 (202) 228-6966. facilities, those expenses should be included in Consider the following: there has been no Richard Westfahl - General Manager any compensation package. discussion of the impact or location of gen- Fax (202) 225-5124 moran.senate.gov/ Gary Stewart, Foreman “Sitings should be located along section or erator lead lines that will connect wind tow- public/ Jim Jackson, Jim Bowker, Pressmen Kris McCool, Judy McKnight, Tracy Traxel, Sheri Arroyo, Mailing

THE COLBY FREE PRESS (USPS 120-920) is published every Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, except the days observed for Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, by Nor’West Newspaper, Mallard 155 W. Fifth St., Colby, Kan., 67701. PERIODICALS POSTAGE paid at Colby, Kan. 67701, and at additional mailing offi ces. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Colby Free Press, 155 W. Fifth St., Colby, Fillmore Kan., 67701. THE BUSINESS OFFICE at 155 W. Fifth is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Bruce Friday, closed Saturday and Sunday. MEMBER OF THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, which • is exclusively entitled to the use for publication of all news herein. Member Kansas Press Association and National Newspaper Association. Tinsley SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In Colby, Thomas County and Oakley: three months $35, one year $85. By mail to ZIP Codes beginning with 676 and 677: three months $39, one year $95. Elsewhere in the U.S., mailed once per week: three months $39, one year $95. Student rate, nine months, in Colby, Thomas County and Oakley, $64; mailed once per week elsewhere in the U.S. $72