United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

09/02/2026

🟢YEAR IN REVIEW: 2025🟢

As part of our efforts to protect Medicaid last year, we fought back against potential legislation that would cause additional harm to Kansas families.

State lawmakers wanted to remove 12-month continuous Medicaid coverage for parents and caregivers whose incomes were below 38% of the poverty level. It would have impacted more than 38,500 hardworking Kansans. It also would have cost the state millions each year due to the extra administrative burden, and it would have reduced needed revenue for health care providers.

The Health Fund helped successfully organize an effort to defeat this provision in the state budget, making it possible for these families to receive consistent health insurance.

LEARN MORE about our 2025 efforts in our Year in Review here⬇

https://healthfund.org/a/wp-content/uploads/HF-Annual-Report-2025-FINAL.pdf

09/01/2026

Thank you to State Affairs Kansas for reporting on this important topic.

"Rural counties face a unique set of healthcare challenges and it’s 'becoming tougher and tougher to maintain maternity care in many hospitals,' said United Methodist Health Ministry Fund President David Jordan.

In practice, these healthcare deserts can be incredibly discouraging for rural residents – who must balance burdens like travel time, lost wages, and childcare challenges to get basic care."

📰READ NOW:

Although the Sunflower State has made some steps forward in maternal healthcare access, advocates say significant rural gaps remain, and hospital finances, provider shortages, and workforce shortages make it difficult to replace services once they're lost.

08/31/2026

How does breastfeeding benefit mothers?

Breastfeeding doesn't just support your baby's health — it also provides important benefits for mothers.

Breastfeeding stimulates the release of oxytocin, a hormone that helps the uterus return to its pre-pregnancy size and may reduce postpartum bleeding.

Research has shown that breastfeeding may also lower a mother's risk of developing breast and ovarian cancer, Type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure later in life.

Beyond the physical benefits, breastfeeding can strengthen the emotional bond between mother and baby while providing opportunities for comfort, closeness and connection.

This National Breastfeeding Month, we celebrate and support every mother's breastfeeding journey and the lasting health benefits it can provide for both mom and baby.

08/28/2026

🎙Our latest episode of Pioneers in Health is now available!🎙

In this episode, we chat with Secretary Laura Howard, who oversees both the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services and the Department for Children and Families.

She shares what led her to pursue a career in public service. When she was 9, her family moved to Washington, D.C., during the heart of the Watergate scandal. It intrigued her, and she would open the newspaper every day to read the latest news.

"It just kind of captured me," Secretary Howard said. "... It got me to really think about, what does government do?"

She watched the hearings and the various public servants testifying, and it further sparked her interest in how government works. When she later went to college, she decided to pursue public administration.

Learn more about Secretary Howard and how she is a pioneering leader in health by listening today!

🔊LISTEN NOW:
https://healthfund.org/a/pih-laura-howard/

08/26/2026

Congratulations to our President and CEO David Jordan on receiving this special award!

The Kansas EMS Association (KEMSA) awarded David with the Presidential Leadership Award, which honors someone who has helped KEMSA grow and progress.

David and the Health Fund have supported KEMSA’s work to advance mobile integrated health and community paramedicine in Kansas. We have partnered with KEMSA on efforts to establish sustainable financing for mobile integrated health programs in Kansas, as well as to support efforts to secure funding and to advance EMS in Kansas. We are proud of the work KEMSA and EMS providers do everyday to improve the health of Kansans.

Thank you, KEMSA, for this special recognition!

08/24/2026

Why is breastfeeding so valuable?

Breast milk provides the ideal nutritional balance for babies with protein, fat, sugar and minerals that support their growth.

It protects them by delivering maternal antibodies that build the immune system, lower the risk of infections and reduce the likelihood of chronic conditions like asthma and obesity.

It’s also much gentler on the stomach than formula, resulting in less gas, colic and constipation.

Aside from the many health benefits, it also promotes emotional bonding between a mother and her baby. It helps build secure attachment and fosters positive social emotional development.

Breastfeeding is one of the most effective ways to support a baby’s health and development. But, it’s not always easy. That’s why we remain committed to funding programs that help mothers achieve breastfeeding success.

08/20/2026

Have you listened yet to our latest podcast episode?

Check it out!

🎙Our latest episode of the Pioneers in Health podcast is now out!🎙

In this episode, we chat with Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA. Families USA is a national, non-partisan advocate for healthcare consumers. Its goal is to achieve high-quality, affordable healthcare and improved health for all.

Learn how Anthony grew up in one of the poorest areas of the country but later went on to attend private school, which was an eye-opening experience for him.

"That gave me a great education, as well as an education of some of the major inequities in our society," he said. "And that led me to want to give back, but also to fight back."

LISTEN NOW:
https://healthfund.org/a/pih-anthony-wright/

08/19/2026

Thank you to the Kansas Oral History Project for interviewing our President and CEO David Jordan alongside Kansas Health Foundation's President and CEO Ed O'Malley.

We enjoyed talking about health, the history of our foundations, Medicaid expansion, how we might reverse the decline in Kansas' health ranking and much more!

🔊LISTEN NOW:

https://youtu.be/OdSpfx0sIRk

08/17/2026

To help promote successful breastfeeding, the Health Fund created the High 5 for Mom & Baby program for hospitals and birthing centers.

Through this program, hospitals are encouraged to follow best practices designed to support successful breastfeeding. These include immediate skin-to-skin contact, rooming in with the baby, providing no other food or drink unless needed for medical reasons, and more.

Hospitals can achieve general recognition for following at least five of the 10 core practices, or they can achieve Premier status for following all 10 practices.

Currently, 39 hospitals participate in the program, with the majority achieving Premier status.

Want to learn more about this important program?

➡VISIT:
https://www.high5kansas.org

High 5 for Mom and Baby provides comprehensive information for maternity care around which hospital policy can be formed.

08/13/2026

🎙Our latest episode of the Pioneers in Health podcast is now out!🎙

In this episode, we chat with Anthony Wright, executive director of Families USA. Families USA is a national, non-partisan advocate for healthcare consumers. Its goal is to achieve high-quality, affordable healthcare and improved health for all.

Learn how Anthony grew up in one of the poorest areas of the country but later went on to attend private school, which was an eye-opening experience for him.

"That gave me a great education, as well as an education of some of the major inequities in our society," he said. "And that led me to want to give back, but also to fight back."

LISTEN NOW:
https://healthfund.org/a/pih-anthony-wright/