SPEAKER NEUFELD HONORED BY KANSAS PHYSICIANS

FROM THE OFFICE OF SPEAKER NEUFELD

June 06, 2008

Contact:
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
Office of Speaker Melvin Neufeld
785/296-2302


Topeka – The Kansas Academy of Family Physicians recognized Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) today for his work in health care reform with its 2008 President’s Award.

In a letter to Speaker Neufeld, KAFP Executive Director Carolyn Gaughan expressed the organization’s gratitude for the Speaker’s leadership in the Kansas Legislature and for his years of work to achieve meaningful health reforms in the state.

Gaughan wrote “During the 2008 session, you personally championed two matters of particular priority to the Academy: defining the physician-directed medical home in Kansas Statues and expanding Medicaid coverage up to 200% of the federal poverty level for pregnant women – and, at last, including dental care and smoking cessation services in this benefit. Further, despite restraints in state revenues, you saw to it that start-up funding of $1.5 million was included in the Omnibus Appropriations budget.”

She went on to say “It (President’s Award) is a small, but genuine, token of our thanks for all your efforts to better ensure quality health care for all Kansas citizens.”

Speaker Neufeld thanked the Academy for the recognition but said there is still more work to do when it comes to health care reform in Kansas.

“Kansas faces a number of health care issues like un-reimbursed care, uninsured populations and improving access. While addressing these issues and others will take time, I believe it is important to our state’s future,” Speaker Neufeld said. “Every dollar we spend now for prenatal care will save the state $17 down the road. Establishing medical homes will improve access and service and reduce costs. Improving our health care system will make our state healthier both physically and fiscally.”

The Kansas Academy of Family Physicians is a not-for-profit organization composed of more than 800 active family physicians across the state. Members are attending the Academy’s Annual Meeting and Scientific Session this weekend in Overland Park.