health care

Missouri has banned medical gender-affirming health care for youth and some adults since 2023. But there are plenty of other forms of gender-affirming care happening in the state, and advocates say it’s saving lives. Plus: Missouri’s Medicaid program is about to go through a major change with the advent of federally imposed work requirements.

In a wide-ranging interview, MoHealthNet director Todd Richardson discussed some of their big challenges — such as incoming work requirements, and new federal restrictions on a tax that helps Missouri pay for the program.

Millions of women use birth control to prevent unintended pregnancies and for other medical necessities. But a new report found that Kansas' policies on contraceptives and family planning are the worst in the country.

Health care workers for Kansas and Missouri clinics run by Encompass Medical Group are demanding higher wages. They say new hires are making more than long-time employees.

Western Kansas is the place for a quiet, rural lifestyle. But with that comes shortages when you need to see a doctor. Many will drive an hour or more to receive quality health care. But some of the problems may not be easily fixed.

Charlie Shields, the CEO of University Health in Kansas City, says federal Medicaid cuts passed in President Trump's recent budget bill are likely to pose challenges for the hospital system. University Health relies on Medicaid reimbursements more than other providers in the metro.

After three months of funding freezes, Missouri again has access to federal Title X funding, which funds reproductive health care services like contraceptives and cancer screenings. But officials are concerned about losing more funding under President Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill."

The Missouri Hospital Association strongly opposed a plan to cap medical provider taxes at 3.5 percent. The tax helps hospitals, nursing homes and pharmacies pay to treat low-income patients.

Roxanne Jones is a nurse with Global Care Force, an organization based in Lenexa that provides medical aid around the world. She returned Saturday to the United States from Jordan, a country located in between Israel and Iran, and witnessed missiles fly between the two nations.

Republican lawmakers put a measure on the 2026 ballot that would not just cement an abortion ban in the Missouri Constitution, but would also prevent transgender youth from accessing gender-affirming health care.

Missouri's House Speaker declined to sign a letter calling for passage of the "Big Beautiful Bill," citing its potential impact on the state's Medicaid program. Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley said the latest proposal "needs work."

Emily Brown founded Attane Health four years ago to ensure people with chronic health problems have access to the right foods to improve their health. Now, her work has won her the Spark Prize, an unrestricted award from the Missouri Foundation for Health to keep the innovation going.