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Great Bend community forum Monday to discuss expanding KanCare
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Updated: Apr 21, 2017, 7:50 PM
Published: Apr 21, 2017, 7:51 PM

 On Monday, the Alliance for a Healthy Kansas will hold a community forum to discuss how expanding KanCare will impact Great Bend and its residents. It will take place at 6:30 p.m. at the Prince of Peace Parish Center, 4200 Broadway, Great Bend.

Attending will be members and supporters of the alliance, including: James Blackwell, president and CEO, Clara Barton Hospital; Julie Kramp, CEO, Center for Counseling and Consultation; Sheldon Weisgrau, director, Health Reform Resource Project; and David Jordan, executive director, Alliance for a Healthy Kansas

A statement from the alliance said the Great Bend forum will discuss how the rejection of KanCare expansion is costing our state jobs, economic stimulus, and access to affordable health coverage. The forum is an opportunity for local business owners, faith leaders, doctors, uninsured workers and other concerned community members to discuss and learn more about the importance of expanding KanCare, and just how much our state stands to lose without it. 

So far, according to the alliance, inaction in Topeka has cost our state $1.8 billion and thousands of jobs at a time when our state needs it most. 

In Barton County, it could insure 1,204 uninsured residents, create 32 new jobs and bring in $5,091,716 in new annual health care spending.

“Expanding KanCare is crucial to our state’s economic future, and it would help more than 150,000 Kansans gain affordable health coverage,” said Jordan, adding the alliance is helping organize community forums around the state. “That’s why we’re building this effort, to unite our voices and urge elected officials to act now.”

The alliance reports that polls show that 82 percent of Kansans support a budget-neutral KanCare expansion plan. 

Since the landmark Supreme Court ruling in June 2012, states have had the option of expanding their federally funded Medicaid programs (called KanCare in Kansas) to cover to more low-income families. So far, 31 states have done so. By law, expansion is funded by the federal government at no less than 90 percent. Kansas does not save money by refusing expansion. It simply gives up the opportunity to bring tax dollars back to our state.
GBHS students bring home top honors at Job Olympics
job olympics team 2025
Great Bend High School students and teachers pose for a photo following the annual Job Olympics, held March 26 in Hays. From left: Brandi Suchy, interpreter and coach; Payton Edwards, 10th grade; Jamie Patton, 12th grade; MaKayla Cross, 11th grade; Faith Mead, 10th grade; Rhonda Glenn, special education teacher and coach; and Trish Berger, special education teacher, work Study coordinator and coach.
Published: Apr 8, 2025, 2:31 PM
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MaKayla Cross competes in a grocery packing event at the Job Olympics.

Four students from Great Bend High School put their skills to the test and brought home top honors during the annual Job Olympics, held March 26 in Hays.

Representing GBHS at this day-long event were students MaKayla Cross, Jamie Patton, Payton Edwards and Faith Mead. These outstanding students competed in a variety of hands-on events designed to build employability skills and boost confidence for future career success. Their hard work and preparation paid off with impressive results:

• 1st Place – Small Gas Engines, Rolling Silverware

• 2nd Place – Sorting Recyclables, Kids Meals Packaging

The Job Olympics provides students with opportunities to practice real-world job tasks, connect with employers, and engage in meaningful social experiences. The event aims to build motivation to learn job skills, improve social interactions, foster new friendships, and develop self-confidence. Participants also receive valuable feedback on their personal employability skills.

“The students not only gained practical skills that will serve them throughout their lives, but also built friendships with students from other schools and communities,” shared Trish Berger, Vocational Program Coordinator and Special Education Teacher at GBHS. “It’s inspiring to see their growth and enthusiasm during this event.”

Accompanied by three dedicated coaches, the GBHS team embraced every opportunity the Job Olympics had to offer, demonstrating perseverance and a positive attitude in each competition. Events like these reinforce the importance of community partnerships and showcase the talents and abilities of students with special needs.

For more information about the vocational programs at Great Bend High School, contact Trish Berger at 620-793-1521.

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Payton Edwards competes in the grocery stocking event at the Job Olympics.