State of Healthcare in Kansas

On June 28, 2012, the U.S. Supreme Court released it's ruling on the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), otherwise known as the Affordable Care Act. PPACA changes how healthcare insurance is offered in the U.S.  In anticipation of this ruling, many government agencies have compiled information and resources for states and citizens to use to learn more about how the PPACA and this ruling affects state legislation and everyday lives of Americans. 

Full text of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA):
http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/PLAW-111publ148/pdf/PLAW-111publ148.pdf

Summary of the PACCA:
http://www.kff.org/healthreform/upload/8061.pdf

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, division of Healthcare's page on PPACA:
http://www.healthcare.gov/

Kansas Department of Health and Environment's page on PPACA:
http://www.kdheks.gov/hcf/ppaca/default.htm

Kansas Insurance Commissioner's page on PPACA: http://www.ksinsurance.org/consumers/healthreform/hcr.htm

U.S. Supreme Court Opinion on PPACA:
http://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/11pdf/11-393c3a2.pdf

President Obama's remarks after the U.S. Supreme Court ruling:
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/06/28/remarks-president-supreme-court-ruling-affordable-care-act

Information on the U.S. Supreme Court ruling from the Kansas Legislative Research Department:
http://skyways.lib.ks.us/ksleg/KLRD/Publications/HealthReform/memo_general_orrmariani_medicaidexpansion.pdf   

National Conference of State Legislature's summary of the U.S. Supreme Court's ruling:
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/us-supreme-court-and-the-federal-health-law.aspx

State legislation and actions challenging certain health reforms, 2011-2012 :
http://www.ncsl.org/issues-research/health/state-laws-and-actions-challenging-aca.aspx

Information from the U.S. Deparment of Health and Human Services on how the ruling affects you and your family:
http://www.healthcare.gov/law/information-for-you/index.html  
Article contact: Kim Harp

New Population Estimates

The Census Bureau released the first annual population estimates for cities since the 2010 Census on Thursday June 28.  Each year, they produce population estimates for cities, counties and county subdivisions, the states and the nation.  The Census uses administrative data from a number of sources, including vital statistics for births and deaths and IRS data for migration, to create the estimates.

Here are the five cities with more than 1,000 residents that had the fastest growth rate since April 1, 2010:

City	July 1, 2011 est.	April 1, 2010	Change	Percent change
Ogden	2,150	2,087	63	3.01%
Junction City	24,015	23,353	662	2.83%
Grandview Plaza	1,603	1,560	43	2.75%
Manhattan	53,678	52,281	1,397	2.67%
Dodge City	27,921	27,340	581	2.13%

The five cities with the largest total increase:

City	July 1, 2011 est.	April 1, 2010	Change	Percent change
Overland Park	176,185	173,372	2,813	1.62%
Wichita	384,445	382,368	2,077	0.54%
Olathe	127,907	125,872	2,035	1.62%
Manhattan	53,678	52,281	1,397	2.67%
Lawrence	88,727	87,643	1,084	1.24%

The five counties with the largest total increase:

County	July 1, 2011 est.	April 1, 2010	Change	Percent change
Johnson	552,991	544,179	8,812	1.62%
Sedgwick	501,076	498,365	2,711	0.54%
Riley	72,997	71,115	1,882	2.65%
Douglas	112,211	110,826	1,385	1.25%
Shawnee	178,941	177,934	1,007	0.57%

For each year’s estimates, the entire time series of estimates beginning April 1, 2010 is revised and updated.  Each revision is called a “vintage,” making these data vintage 2011 or V2011.  Because of the annual revision and updating, you cannot compare estimates from one vintage to another.

To dig more deeply into the data, go to:

http://www.census.gov/popest/data/index.html

If, as you read this, you wonder “what estimation method do they use, anyway?”  You can read all you want about the estimates methodology at:

http://www.census.gov/popest/methodology/index.html

The Secretary of State’s office certifies each year’s estimates for use by various State agencies and programs.  After certification, the official yearly estimates can be found at:

http://budget.ks.gov/ecodemo.htm

**Please note that these certified estimates are from that year’s vintage.  In other words, they will soon publish V2011, in a year V2012, etc.  As mentioned above, you cannot compare vintage to vintage, so you should not compare the V2012 estimate to V2011.

Article contact: Peter Haxton
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Kansas Boating Requirements

As the summer season gets underway, Kansas boaters will head for Kansas waterways. Experienced boaters know that there is more to boating than playing with cool water. New boat owners need to absorb regulations, requirements, and best practices for safety.

The Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism has a web page that is devoted to the needs of Kansas boaters. It may be accessed at:

Kansas Boating

This page will help boaters be safe, knowledgeable, and legally responsible. The page helps boat owners register their boats or renew their registrations. It also creates easy access to the Home Study and Online Study courses that are recommended for adults and required for boaters between 12 and 20. There is also information on access points for boating all over the state. 

The Law Enforcement link is the most important source for legal information on registration, equipment and operations.

Boat owners are advised to review all regulations every year because changes in boating laws can occur at any time. The Law Enforcement page also has information on Water Skiing and Towing, Boating and Alcohol, and Accident Reporting.

This site is remarkably easy to navigate and offers a good selection of official contacts, in addition to online information. The quick link PDF documents chosen for this site include:

The Regulations Summary
BUI (Boating Under the Influence) Information
The Home Study Course

Involvement in recreational water sports has been steadily rising in Kansas, making this practical information not only useful, but critically important to keeping Kansans and their children safe.

Article contact: Shannon Roy
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Kansas Travel Information

KANSAS TRAVEL INFORMATION

Thinking of taking a drive through of Kansas?  Want to take a long family vacation?    Here are some interesting websites that will give you lots of Information on places to visit in Kansas to help make your summer travel plans more fun and eventful.

The first stop on your virtual tour of information on travel in Kansas would be the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism.  Here you will find information on state parks, hunting fishing, and camping information.  You can even make park reservations, buy a hunting license, and much more

http://www.kdwpt.state.ks.us/

Request a beautiful Free Kansas Travel Guide by using the form on the linked page below.  This is a magazine style booklet with over a hundred pages packed with interesting information to help you choose the right trip for you.

http://www.travelks.com/s/VisitorGuideE.cfm

The Kansas Turnpike Authority website has information about travel, cost of using the Turnpike, maps, etc.  If you can use the Turnpike on your trip you will travel a safe modern highway that has many conveniences along the way, including rest stops, restaurants, and Tourist Information centers.

http://www.ksturnpike.com/

Travelks.com has a trip planner which lists sites to see, hotels, etc. that you can use to plan a trip.  It is part of the Kansas Department of Wildlife, Parks and Tourism website.

http://www.travelks.com/s/index.cfm?trip

Travel Guides Free will give you a list of free guides for major Kansas cities such as Kansas City, Wichita, Emporia, Topeka, etc. http://www.travelguidesfree.com/FreeTravelBrochures/Midwest/Kansas/

The Kansas Government website also has a lot of information of travel to and in Kansas.  This site lists various activities by categories, such as boating, what will list bodies of water, license information and laws and regulation on

http://www.kansas.gov/tourism/

Trip Advisor also has a section on visiting Kansas. 

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Tourism-g28937-Kansas-Vacations.html

Roadside America has a site that provides information on some of the more off beat things to see and do in Kansas.

http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/ks

Want a quiet trip away from the hustle and bustle of the city  the following site specializes in providing travel information to the rural side of Kansas.

http://www.getruralkansas.org/

The Kansas State Historical Society, located in Topeka is a great place to visit, their site has information on their Topeka location, but has a lot of historical information on Kansas and places in Kansas.

http://www.kshs.org/portal_visit

If you come through Topeka, don’t forget to stop by the Kansas State Capitol, the following web site will provide information on time that the capitol is open, and times for tours.

http://www.kansastravel.org/kansasstatecapitol.htm

For road emergencies and road information,  look over this site for Kansas Highway Patrol for helpful information.  They also have a kids site.

http://www.kansashighwaypatrol.org/

Don’t forget to check the weather.  The NOAA site is a great site for checking out the daily weather and weekly forecasts.

http://www.noaa.gov/

Enjoy your summer vacation, and trip around Kansas!

Article contact: Tom Roth
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Voter Identification in Kansas

This next election will be the first statewide test of the new voter ID law.  Any person registering to vote will be required to provide proof of Unites States citizenship.  As of January 1, 2012, all citizens voting in person must show photo identification.  To educate the public about the new voter requirements, the Secretary of State’s office will be touring the state to provide information. 

Voter ID website:
http://www.gotvoterid.com/

List of valid documents to prove citizenship:
http://www.gotvoterid.com/proof-of-citizenship.html

Link for stops on the Voter ID tour:
http://www.gotvoterid.com/tour.html

Where do I vote and who’s on my ballot?

To find out where you need to go to vote, contact your county election office. A list of offices and their phone numbers is available from the Secretary of State’s website at:
http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_ceo.asp

Another way is to access your personal voter registration information. This will list your polling site. You can find that at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/

If you would like to vote in advance, follow the steps provided at http://www.kssos.org/elections/elections_registration_voting.html

The Secretary of State has a more information on how/where/when to vote at VOTE KANSAS!
http://www.voteks.org/main.html

Article contact: Kim Harp

Coloring Books

Summer looms ahead of us like an expanse of Kansas prairie and for parents of younger children the wind often seems to whisper, "I'm bored, I'm bored..." as we work through our daily routines.

An old fashioned means of entertaining young minds can be found on the Internet with some new twists.  Online coloring books... pages of outlined designs, figures, characters... can be a source of fun and learning for both the young and young at heart.  Organizations, companies and even government agencies have pages ready to print off or work on interactively online.

Below are a few examples of such pages offered up by government agencies providing coloring designs that teach, inform and entertain.  So get out your color crayons, real and virtual, rev up your printer... and away we go!  Please note that some of these color book pages include links to other fun sites as well.

GENERAL COLORING PAGES
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences
http://kids.niehs.nih.gov/games/coloring/index.htm
(printable pages on health, outdoor excercise, animals, water, vegetables, environmental protections, etc.)

H.I.P. Pocket Change Coloring Pages
http://www.usmint.gov/kids/campcoin/coloring.cfm
(printable pages of coins provided by the U.S. Mint)

C.I.A. Interactive Coloring Book (fill style)
https://www.cia.gov/kids-page/games/coloring-book/index.html
(I know a librarian who enjoys this page a lot!  The pages provide a pallette with which you can color the drawings online)

NASA Coloring Book
http://spaceplace.nasa.gov/coloring-book/en/
(Another interactive site where you pick up the virtual crayons with your mouse and fill in the lines yourself.  And for those of us who tend to wander outside the lines an eraser is provided!)

Fish Coloring Pages
http://www.fws.gov/natchitoches/images/coloring%20pages/fish_coloring_pages.pdf
(Printable pages for the more intense crayon or pencil fanatic.  Provided by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Kids Coloring Pages
http://education.usgs.gov/kids/coloring.html
(The U.S. Geological Service provides various outlined pages to print off featuring the nature scenes.  Includes pages and books for different levels of experise)

ATF for Kids
http://www.atf.gov/kids/games-activities/coloring-pages/
(Two pages; one of fireworks and one really cool one of the U.S. Great Seal.  Provided by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives)

Celebrating Wildflowers Coloring Books
http://www.nps.gov/plants/color/
(Links to pages offering wildflowers and other flora.  Some have a color guide for those who want an authentic look.  From the National Park Service)

Wind Turbine Coloring Book
http://www.nrel.gov/education/pdfs/educational_resources/elementary/wind_coloring_book.pdf
(Something many Kansans will recognize!  National Renewable Energy Laboratory website)

Coastal Louisiana Scenes
http://lacoast.gov/new/Ed/KidsCorner/ColoringBooks.aspx
(Another fill in interactive coloring book brought to you by the Coastal Wetlands Planning, Protection and Restoration Act)

KANSAS COLOR PAGES

Kansas State Symbols Coloring Book
http://www.kshs.org/educate/students/pdfs/symbols_coloring_book.pdf
(The Kansas Historical Society provides a 12 page booklet with our state symbols for budding Kansas artists)

Kansas Kids: Get Out Your Crayons!
http://www.sos.ks.gov/resources/kansaskids_color.html
(some printable pages provided by the Kansas Secretary of State)

Immunization Coloring Book
http://www.kdheks.gov/immunize/download/2008ECBTColoringBookEnglish.pdf
(offered by the Kansas Department of Health and Environment)

Kansas 4-H Coloring and Information Book
http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/library/4h_y2/4h987.pdf
(8 page booklet printed by Kansas State Unversity Research and Extension)

Coloring Sheets and Activities
http://www.agronomy.k-state.edu/p.aspx?tabid=766
(From the Kansas State University Department of Agronomy)

K-State Giveaways
http://www.optionsplus.ksu.edu/giveaways/
(Toward the middle of the page are a few coloring pages for Willie Wildcat fans as well as an outline map of the United States states)

WANT MORE???

Here are a few sample google searches:

color book site:gov
coloring pages site:gov
coloring sheets site:gov

Article contact: Bill Sowers
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1940 Census Enumeration Information Released

The Census Bureau goes to great lengths to protect the confidentiality of the personally identifiable information they collect.  However, 72 years after a Census Day, they release the full record of the information collected.

On April 2, 2012, more than 3.8 million pages of digital images of the 1940 enumeration records were released through the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA).   The records show the names, ages, relationships, education and employment information of everyone in the United States and its territories.

The starting point for research is NARA’s 1940 Census website, which has links to FAQs, glossary of terms, how to research the Census records and the scanned pages:http://1940census.archives.gov

If you need help finding the correct enumeration district (that’s how the pages are organized )http://stevemorse.org/census/xml1940edmaps.html

If you want to help index some of those 3.8 million pages:https://the1940census.com/

Article contact: Peter Haxton
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