Children's Mercy Hospital

The hospital previously announced it would have no in-network options next year for families who purchase health insurance through the Affordable Care Act marketplace.

Children's Mercy Hospital in Kansas City announced last week it would lay off 115 jobs, and transfer 473 positions to an outside vendor. The changes come as hospital operating costs continue to rise, and federal funding losses are imminent.

Once Children’s Mercy hospital becomes out of network for her family, Christy Moreno may have to seek specialty treatment in Mexico or Canada. She says the cancellation of the family’s insurance has put her child in a life-or-death situation.

Children’s Mercy recently announced it will no longer be in-network for Kansas City-area health insurance plans purchased through the Affordable Care Act marketplace at the start of the year, leaving many families without options.

Medicaid policy experts say anticipated changes to Medicaid eligibility requirements are already having a chilling effect, particularly among immigrants. Jackson County leaders are trying to get the word out so as many people as possible can keep their coverage.

Kansas City’s 2024 gun homicide rate of 24.6 per 100,000 people ranked among the worst of U.S. cities. That stands in sharp contrast to the countries with teams based in the city for the World Cup — England, Argentina, the Netherlands and Algeria.

The University of Kansas Health System says the pediatric intensive care unit, or PICU, only serves about 150 patients a year. KU faculty say closing the PICU creates a cascading series of problems.

The expansion at the hospital’s downtown campus would increase capacity by 25-30%, Children’s Mercy leaders say. The investment will help make more room for pediatric and neonatal intensive care units, increasingly complex surgical procedures and more.

Despite steadily declining birthrates in Missouri, Kansas and across the country, in the last year Children’s Mercy has announced major expansions in Overland Park, Wichita and Springfield. Its expanded downtown campus could include four new buildings.

A new partnership will create a theranostics health care platform in the region with radiopharmaceutical production and therapy, molecular imaging, and clinical trials all at the same location. One Kansas City health care system will be among the first to offer the treatment to children.

Last month, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention revised and reduced the childhood immunization schedule, paring down the recommended vaccines. That change won’t impact access to vaccinations, but Kansas City health officials believe it will heighten the burden on parents and providers.

A jazz quartet from Kansas City recently held three performances and a masterclass in China, as part of a symposium organized by the Edgar Snow Memorial Foundation.