Kansas News Service: THE INSIDER newsletter, Jan. 10, 2020

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Expansion team Red-state Kansas looks like it’s on the verge of embracing something with “Obama” in it. Democrats and moderate Republicans had been willing for a few years now to expand Medicaid coverage under the terms, and financial help, of the Affordable Care Act. First, then-Gov. Sam Brownback vetoed the idea of playing along with Obamacare. Then, last year, Republican bosses in the Kansas Senate blocked a bill. Now Democratic Gov. Laura Kelly and Republican Senate Majority Leader Jim Denning say they’ve found a bipartisan sweet spot. They unveiled their compromise this week: A deal that skipped work requirements and leans on hospitals to pay the state’s fraction of the bill. The feds will cover the rest, for now, to add 130,000 poor and disabled people to the Medicaid rolls. Jim McLean explains what’s happening. “It is simply about people wanting to live in a different area.”  — Lisa Southern, who's having trouble recruiting mental health professionals to Garden City. Lay Offs And Landings Spirit AeroSystems announced today that it will lay off 2,800 employees at its plant in Wichita as the shutdown of the Boeing 737 Max program drags on. The move comes just weeks after Boeing ordered Spirit to halt all deliveries of 737 Max components. The company says employees will receive compensation during the required 60-day notice period and will begin leaving on Jan. 22. Partner station KMUW has the details. Merger Time Gov. Laura Kelly wants services for foster kids, the elderly, the mentally ill and the juvenile justice system to become one massive department. That reformed Department of Human Services would theoretically streamline referral services and aim for a more holistic model of looking after groups of people who rely heavily on state government. But first, she’ll need an OK from lawmakers. In partnership with The Topeka Capital-Journal, the Kansas News Service's Nomin Ujiyediin has more. Short On Shrinks Mental health care jobs in rural Kansas stay open for years at a time. By one federal standard, only nine of the counties in Kansas have enough psychiatrists. One private group estimates the state is 53 psychiatrists short of what it needs, along with shortages of nurses and doctors. The state’s community mental health centers face the challenge of treating the state's poorest, often uninsured, patients. And their loads have grown after the state-run mental health hospital in Osawatomie dramatically cut new admissions. The more remote the location, the more scarce the mental health workers. Nomin Ujiyediin explains. Less Gassy For each of the last 10 years, Kansas has cut back its carbon dioxide emissions while the rest of the world has belched up ever-larger amounts of the greenhouse gas. The reason: Mostly a trend away from coal-burning electric plants and toward wind turbines. Brian Grimmet of the Kansas News Service breaks down the numbers. Back To School (Legislation) With decades of fights over state aid to local schools settled (for the moment), school districts and teachers unions will be lobbying on new fronts in the Legislature. Among the things they’re hoping for: more health care coverage for their schoolkids; more programs that offer college credit in high schools; and policies to combat vaping and bullying. Reporting on education for the Kansas News Service, Stephan Bisaha explains. Rural Desires People in rural areas harbor their own wishlists for help from the Legislature — even if they’re not terribly optimistic. Among other things, they want help from state government in building better highways, faster internet and some tax changes. Corinne Boyer brings you the rundown. A Capital Idea Topeka’s gaining national attention for working on a plan that would match money from employers to offer bonuses — up to $15,000 if you buy a home — to move to the city. So far, organizers of the “Choose Topeka” effort say they’ve fielded queries of possible transplants from New York to California. Apparently, the Hawaiians are content. Nomin Ujiyediin reports. Did you miss the latest season of our podcast, My Fellow Kansans? Catch up now wherever you get your podcasts. More from the Kansas News Service Pressure Mounts To Fix The Chronically Troubled Foster Care System In Kansas Farmers’ Struggles Bring Down Personal Income Growth In Kansas Topeka Wants Employers To Kick In On $15,000 Signing Bonuses For New Residents Dealing With Hospital Closure, Pioneer Kansas Town Asks: What Comes Next? Shawnee Mission School District Settles Sexual Assault Case For $165,000 Here's Why Kansas CO2 Emissions Are At Their Lowest Level In 40 Years A New Federal Law Protects Against Animal Abuse But Kansas Agencies Worry It Won't Help