Healthcare
Fresh food tax exemption on the table for Missouri lawmakers
Missouri lawmakers might sweeten the pot for consumers who want to eat healthy and for the growers who provide the food. Legislators return to Jefferson City today to reconsider nearly three dozen measures that Gov. Jay Nixon vetoed in this year’s regular session. The veto session could extend to Friday. One of the bills up…
Physician payment data puts costly eye treatments under the microscope
Correction appended Spritzing perfume is how Judy Johnson realized her eyesight had gone bad. At one point, diabetes had worsened her vision so much that the 69-year-old Lansing, Kan., resident had to squirt out a puff of her favorite scent just to find the opening in the mister. “I looked at it this morning,” Johnson…
New bus route addresses health needs of KCK residents
It was nearly a decade ago that the Rosedale Development Association, a nonprofit community improvement corporation, identified lack of transportation as a significant barrier for neighborhood residents who wanted better access to medical care, grocery stores and other basic services. The feedback came via a community-needs survey conducted by a volunteer working with the organization,…
New figures reveal racial divide in swimming pool deaths
LaShana McGee marvels at the exploits of her 4-year-old daughter around their neighborhood pool in Piper, Kan. “She goes straight to the deep end. It’s crazy,” McGee said. “I don’t know why she does that, but she does. She just jumps right in, and she will swim her way back to the stairs where you…
JOCO audit highlights security issues, other concerns in mental health operation
The Johnson County Mental Health Center has not resolved long-standing security concerns to protect employees at its Shawnee location, according to an internal audit presented to the board of commissioners Thursday. The audit, conducted by Interim County Auditor Ken Kleffner, said that the mental health agency had rejected security recommendations made in 2007 “because management…