By Anna Kaminski | reporter
Good morning, and happy Wednesday!
I followed a Topeka mother’s medical debt case for months, attending court hearings, scouring public records and interviewing lawyers, experts and healthcare advocates. I was pulling thread on a theory: a nonprofit hospital was suing low-income patients for medical debt — and garnishing their wages in some cases — even though they qualified for free care. It turned out to be true for at least 11 people, including that Topeka mother, Mariana.
It was important to me as a journalist to tell this story differently because it is difficult sometimes to reconcile the gap between those in positions of power and those who are not. The gap was bridged here because of the work of a statewide legal aid nonprofit, Kansas Legal Services.
My aim wasn’t to put the theory to bed or answer every question. Instead, I hope it revealed opposing truths, complicated a seemingly simple picture and made you read something worth your time.
Onto the news.
Anna Kaminski/Kansas Reflector
A Kansas hospital garnished wages of patients who qualified for free care. Then they fought back.
TOPEKA — When $300 disappeared from Mariana Villegas’ paycheck, she rationalized it.
She had worked fewer hours to stay home with her sick daughter, sure, but it still seemed like a lot to go missing, she said. She let it slide.
Then it happened again.
Villegas had no idea a local hospital had sued her last fall for $2,200 in medical debt plus interest and was garnishing her wages.
Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector
Kansas health agency says Galena landfill fire is out, more work to be done
TOPEKA — Remediation steps to put out a smoldering fire at the Galena Landfill were successful, and the landfill operator will continue work to meet other state requirements, a health agency spokeswoman said Tuesday.
The fire that has been alight at the landfill for weeks to months was still smoldering during a June 24 inspection, said Jill Bronaugh, Kansas Department of Health and Environment spokeswoman, in an email.
But excavation work completed since then by landfill operator Jordan Disposal indicate the fire is out, she said.
Baya Burgess/Kansas Reflector
Kansas faith leaders urge governor to grant clemency requests from people sentenced to death
TOPEKA — Before delivering a petition to the Kansas governor’s office Tuesday, faith leaders criticized the death penalty as immoral and inhumane and implored Gov. Laura Kelly to grant life without parole to people on death row.
Steven Becker, a retired Kansas district judge, former state legislator and active Mennonite, said on Tuesday the government has no right to execute someone.
“How arrogant that is,” he said. “Who do we think we are that we can end divinely granted life?”
An hour before the faith leaders gave remarks to reporters at the Statehouse, Kelly denied clemency requests from brothers Reginald and Jonathan Carr. They were responsible for the “Wichita massacre,” a nine-day spree of violent crimes in 2000.
Only strong medicine can heal our ills in Kansas and these rapidly corroding United States
OPINION
By David Norlin
In today’s world, "we the people" are nothing.
Feel moved to the sidelines, removed from the playing field? You’re not alone. Those in control have us in their power, and they’re not letting go.
After 2 deadly shootings, ICE reportedly ordered to end vehicle enforcement stops
WASHINGTON — The Department of Homeland Security Tuesday ordered U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers to cease vehicle-related enforcement stops, following the deadly shootings of two men in their vehicles, according to multiple media reports.
A DHS spokesperson did not respond directly to States Newsroom’s question about what was characterized in some reports as a new nationwide order.
Salad greens scrutinized as cyclosporiasis outbreak spreads
As state and federal officials work to identify the source of the recent outbreak of the intestinal illness cyclosporiasis, Michigan health officials have identified lettuces or salad greens as one potential culprit.
“Early information has shown lettuce as a common product that regularly comes up during the investigation,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive at the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, in a news release. “We will continue to provide updates as we learn more.”
US House passes bipartisan bill to make daylight saving time permanent
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House voted Tuesday to make daylight saving time permanent nationwide in a bipartisan move that pushes the country one step closer to ending the long-contested ritual of semiannual clock changes.
The House passed the measure, called the Sunshine Protection Act, 308-117. Its future in the Senate is uncertain.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Kansas Reflector staff will participate in the following free public forums.
5:30 p.m. July 23, Emporia Arts Center. Editor-in-chief Sherman Smith will lead a discussion on the proposed constitutional amendment to elect Kansas Supreme Court justices. Host: Kansas Appleseed. Register here.
2 p.m. Sept. 27, Red Rocks Visitor Center in Emporia. Host: Red Rocks.
If you're interested in having us talk in your town, email Sherman Smith at [email protected].
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