In Brief: Kasich Playing Close to Vest on Medicaid; Univ. of Kansas Performs 1,000 Liver Transplants

Kasich Playing Close To Vest On Medicaid Expansion

Although the primary reforms in the Affordable Care Act roll out in less than a year, Ohio Gov. John Kasich has yet to indicate whether he supports expanding the Medicaid program.

Kasich's aides have indicated his answer will appear in his upcoming budget proposal, which is expected to be released on Feb. 4.

We will all know together,” Greg Moody, the leader of Kasich’s office of health transformation, told the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

About 600,000 Ohioans would qualify for Medicaid benefits under the proposed expansion, which would loosen income and other restrictions. Currently, a family of four in Ohio has to earn $20,745 or less a year to qualify; that would rise to $32,000 under the ACA. Virtually all of the cost of their enrollment and care would be paid for by the federal government for the first several years, and then 90% thereafter.

Kasich, a Republican, has been among many GOP governors who has been reluctant to expand the program, although such rhetoric has toned down considerably after the presidential election last November.

University of Kansas Medical Center Performs 1,000th Liver Transplant

The University of Kansas Hospital in Kansas City has performed its thousandth liver transplant, and is the leading organ transplant center in the Midwest region.

The liver transplant program, which was launched in 1990, has better than-average patient outcomes, survival rates, and patient waiting times, compared to national data. Its first transplant recipient became a nurse for the hospital and works in the transplant program.

“The University of Kansas Hospital Center for Transplantation has built an experienced team that can handle anything,” said Timothy Schmitt, M.D., director of the hospital's transplant program. “We put the patient's needs first and organize our whole approach from evaluation, to operation, to follow up, with activities aligned to provide both the highest level of efficiency and through this,
aximize the outcomes for our patients.”

In addition to the liver transplant, the hospital has also performed more than 1,900 kidney and 145 pancreas transplants.

Catholic Health Partners Retains Press Ganey For Patient Surveys

Catholic Health Partners in Ohio has signed the Indiana-based public relations firm Press Ganey to survey the attitudes and “voice” of its patients.

Press Ganey will survey both emergency department and outpatients, in an attempt to improve not only their satisfaction but Catholic Health's quality of care scores.

“By capturing more data, we are able to look at segmentations – individual units, particular shifts, or specific days of the week – with greater reliability, accuracy and confidence,”  said Steve Grossbart, Chief Quality Officer of Catholic Health Partners.

“As a result, we will be able to derive meaningful analysis that will help us as we continue to improve the patient experience.”