United Methodist Health Ministry Fund

??It's a lucky week! The hotel deadline for our Healthy Congregations retreat has been extended to March 26! So, you've got a few extra days to book your stay on us!?? This year's retreat is all about connecting — to each other and the mission. This two-day, uplifting event will focus on connecting, learning, sharing and developing relationships with others who share a passion for congregational and community health. ?? April 10-11 ??Homewood Suites, Salina, KS ??VIEW AGENDA AND REGISTER: https://lnkd.in/gYDk3TAm

Health depends on more than health care. It’s strongly influenced by a variety of factors, including the conditions in our communities, schools in our neighborhoods, the availability of healthy food and good jobs, and how close we are to hospitals and clinics. To achieve long-term change and improve the health of all Kansans, we must change policies and systems. Ensuring policies and systems are optimized to support healthy Kansans and healthy communities over the long term is critically important. Each year, we develop a policy agenda that aligns with our strategic priorities. This road map guides us as we engage in legislative and administrative advocacy, support and fund advocacy partners, and back research and communications efforts that can help achieve our mission of improving the health of all Kansans. You can check out our full 2025 policy agenda on our website or by clicking below. ???VIEW POLICY AGENDA: https://lnkd.in/gkwTEh5B

??MEDICAID MATTERS?? Did you know? More than 100,000 Kansans with a disability rely on Medicaid for health insurance. This includes children, working-age adults and seniors. Nationally, about 10 million children and adults with disabilities rely on Medicaid for health insurance. That comprises about 15% of all people enrolled in Medicaid. Those with disabilities often don’t have access to employer-sponsored plans and can’t afford private plans. Even then, people with disabilities might not receive the care they need since private plans typically don’t cover the range of services available through Medicaid, according to Medicaid.gov. Medicaid provides them with a full range of coverage, including preventive services, primary and specialty care, prescription drugs, medical equipment, and long-term services and supports. If Congress enacts the substantial cuts to Medicaid currently under consideration, it could have significant implications for these children and adults. Many live on fixed incomes and face barriers to employment. They have higher health care needs and depend on Medicaid for services. It’s a lifeline for people with disabilities. If they lose access to coverage or services, how will they get care? When it comes to children and adults with disabilities, Medicaid matters. #MedicaidMatters

???Our latest Pioneers in Health podcast episode is now out! ??? This was a special episode, as we met up with veteran health policy reporter Jim McLean in person for this interview. Jim is currently a senior reporter at Kansas News Service, which is a collaboration of public media stations across Kansas that report on topics affecting the health and well-being of Kansans, their communities and the state overall. In this episode, he discusses his longtime career in journalism, as well as time spent in politics and working for the Kansas Health Institute. While at KHI, he created and launched KHI News Service, which covers health policy across the state. He shares stories from throughout his career and discusses how politics and the relationship with the media has changed in that time. “There were partisan differences, but everybody was there essentially to do the public business. It wasn’t performance art like I think it is today,” he said. “People were respectful of one another. They had different opinions, but it was a constructive environment.” ??LISTEN NOW: https://lnkd.in/gdHSwWCx

Do you have a passion for social justice and community health? We're looking for an Engaged Congregations and Communities Coordinator to join our team! This person will support the development, implementation and management of Health Fund programs — primarily under our Engaged Congregations and Communities strategic focus area. This focus area provides training, resources and financial support to Great Plains United Methodist churches committed to improving congregational and community health. We're seeking someone who is mission driven, energetic and passionate about community and social change to work closely with participating churches to help them achieve their goals. Does this sound like you? Check out our job description to learn more! A few more things about this role: ??Small, close-knit team that values the ability to work independently and collaboratively ??Hybrid position with two days each week in our Hutchinson, Kansas, office ??$45,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications ??LEARN MORE AND APPLY:

?Healthy Congregations: Spotlight on Concordia First United Methodist Church ? Churches in our Healthy Congregations program focus on projects that improve the health of their congregations and communities. This includes social, emotional, physical and spiritual health. First United Methodist Church in Concordia, KS, saw an opportunity to create a fun, welcoming event for neighbors and area families. You see, the church happens to be located near a fantastic sledding hill?? Because of this, they decided to open up a warming station in the church and serve free hot chocolate while children and families were sledding. Using grant funds, they were able to purchase a welcome banner, an extra floor mat and even brooms to help brush snow off the sledders. At their event in January, pictured here, they welcomed about 75 sledders and served about 30 cups of hot cocoa ? Way to go, First United Methodist Church, on finding a new way to promote connection and support for those in your community ??

??MEDICAID MATTERS?? Kansans work hard to make the best life they can for their families. But these days, it’s getting harder to get ahead. Costs are rising everywhere you look – from food to housing to child care. Many are working their hardest to make ends meet, but their jobs don’t provide health insurance or pay well enough to afford it on their own. In Kansas, the majority of adults on Medicaid are employed. They are going to work each day trying to make a living for themselves and their families. Medicaid enables these hard workers to obtain health insurance to protect themselves and their families from illness and high medical bills. It enables them to proactively address their well-being, which keeps them healthier so they can continue working hard in their communities. Work requirements being discussed at the federal level right now in order for people to qualify for Medicaid coverage would actually hamper these hard workers. Requiring working Kansans to report their employment is an extra bureaucratic process that will result in hardworking Kansans losing coverage. Analysis and past evidence shows that work-reporting requirements simply add administrative barriers and red tape that leads to losses in coverage for people already working, as well as for those who have caretaking responsibilities, disabilities or illnesses that keep them from paid work. It also impacts people who have been laid off or temporarily between jobs. If we want our residents healthy and able to work, they must have access to health insurance without burdensome and complex reporting systems that are challenging to navigate. When it comes to keeping hardworking Kansans healthy, Medicaid matters. #MedicaidMatters

Our Vice President of Programs Katie Schoenhoff enjoyed attending the Maternal & Infant Health Convening in Missouri this week, along with colleagues from the Kansas Birth Equity Network who presented on Black maternal health. This convening was filled with excellent speakers and meaningful collaboration on how to improve maternal and infant health outcomes.

Congratulations to our fearless leader, David Jordan, on being selected for the 2025 Leadership Kansas class!?? As one of the nation’s oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs, Leadership Kansas is dedicated to developing and inspiring leaders from across the state. David was one of just 40 leaders selected from more than 500 nominations. “Leadership Kansas is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” LK Executive Director Aaron Miller said. “Participants connect with some of Kansas’ most distinguished business and government leaders, emerging as stronger, more informed leaders ready to contribute to their communities and our state.” ??LEARN MORE: https://lnkd.in/gGxpvy4J

Do you have a passion for social justice and community health? We're looking for an Engaged Congregations and Communities Coordinator to join our team! This person will support the development, implementation and management of Health Fund programs — primarily under our Engaged Congregations and Communities strategic focus area. This focus area provides training, resources and financial support to Great Plains United Methodist churches committed to improving congregational and community health. We're seeking someone who is mission driven, energetic and passionate about community and social change to work closely with participating churches to help them achieve their goals. Does this sound like you? Check out our job description to learn more! A few more things about this role: ??Small, close-knit team that values the ability to work independently and collaboratively ??Hybrid position with two days each week in our Hutchinson, Kansas, office ??$45,000-$65,000 commensurate with experience and qualifications ??LEARN MORE AND APPLY: https://lnkd.in/dmsVnq2