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Missourians on Medicaid should make sure state has their address if they want to keep insurance
About 1.4 million Missourians rely on Medicaid for their family’s health insurance, known in the state as MO HealthNet. They are all at risk of losing their coverage because federal law requires them to reenroll this year. The best way to prevent getting kicked off? Make sure the state has your current address. Those already…
Medicaid expansion in Kansas: What to know before lawmakers convene in January
Medicaid expansion is a popular policy among voters, in Kansas and across the country. More than 7 in 10 Kansas voters support expanding Medicaid eligibility, according to a survey from Fort Hays State University. But that popularity hasn’t been enough to motivate lawmakers to pass Medicaid expansion, despite a decade of trying. Lawmakers introduced dozens…
KanCare 101: How to apply for Medicaid benefits in Kansas
In any given month, about 450,000 Kansans rely on Medicaid to pay for health care. The program is paid for by the federal government with states providing a match and administering the program. As with any assistance program, it can be difficult to determine if you qualify. Who qualifies depends on many factors, only one…
Missouri Allows Some Disabled Workers to Earn Less Than $1 an Hour. The State Says It’s Fine If That Never Changes.
This article was produced with ProPublica as part of its Local Reporting Network initiative. Sign up for Dispatches to get stories like this one as soon as they are published. This story is available in plain language. One weekday morning in July, Kerstie Bramlet was at her workstation inside the Warren County Sheltered Workshop near…
PrEP Is a drug 99% effective at preventing HIV. Here’s how to get it in Kansas City
PrEP is said to be up to 99 percent effective in preventing the transfer of HIV from sex when taken correctly. It is also 70 percent effective in preventing infection through sharing needles.
CDC recommends new bivalent COVID boosters to prevent common omicron strain
The new boosters target the omicron BA.4 and BA.5 strains of the COVID-19 virus which are currently the most prevalent in the United States. Two versions of bivalent boosters are available: The Pfizer-BioNTech for people ages 12 years and older and Moderna for people ages 18 years and older.
Who loses – and by how much – with legalized sports gambling in Kansas?
In 2020, the National Council on Problem Gambling told the Kansas Legislature the estimated social cost of Kansas adult problem gamblers is $829 million a year, from gambling-related bankruptcy, divorce, crime and job loss. Using the same methodology, adjusting for inflation and the new population census, The Beacon found that problem gambling would incur an…
In Missouri, the fight for reproductive health care rights will continue in 2023
With primary races decided and reproductive health care a top concern for many voters heading into the November general elections, stakeholders are assessing the year ahead and what possible legislation related to reproductive rights could be introduced in Missouri. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June that effectively removed constitutional protections to abortion access allowed…
Missouri’s new abortion law: no exceptions for rape, incest, and doctors may face charges
Editor’s note: This story has been updated to reflect that abortions are banned in Missouri, regardless of the length of pregnancy, because of a “trigger law” passed on June 24. A previous version of this story stated that abortions were banned in Missouri after 8 weeks of gestation. That part of HB 126, which included…
‘We need more time’: Advocates want more Medicaid postpartum health care for Missouri moms
Missouri ranked 44th nationwide for its maternal mortality rate in 2019. And Black mothers in the state are four times as likely as white women to die from pregnancy-related issues, higher than the nationwide average. Yet Missouri is not among the many states that are seeking to take advantage of an offer from the federal…
Residents explore KC air sensor program at community forum
On a recent Saturday morning, Kansas City residents gathered with local organizations to learn how to monitor air quality in the city’s Troost Avenue corridor. Hosted by KC Digital Drive at the Lucile H. Bluford Branch of the Kansas City Public Library, the event aimed to inform community members about how they can participate in…
COVID in Kansas City: Latest data and updates
The Kansas City Beacon has compiled the latest COVID-19 data for the metro area.
Here’s how residents along Troost Avenue can help measure Kansas City air quality
To learn about Kansas City air quality, a collaboration is seeking local volunteers to place air sensors on their properties. Led by KC Digital Drive and other community partners, the program aims to gather data on climate and pollution along the Troost Avenue corridor. “The main thing with a project like this is you have…
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