KHI - Kansas Health Institute Inc.

12/09/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 12/09/2025 13:19

Event Recap — Exploring Medicaid Populations: Reaching Individuals Who Are Unhoused

Event Recap - Exploring Medicaid Populations: Reaching Individuals Who Are Unhoused

2 Min Read

Dec 09, 2025

By

Sheena L. Schmidt, M.P.P., Emma Uridge, M.P.H.

On Dec. 9, KHI held the fourth session of the 2025 KHI Policy Series, Exploring Medicaid Populations: Reaching Individuals Who Are Unhoused. The final session in the series focused on strategies that can be used in Medicaid for reaching individuals who are unhoused. This session explored the unique challenges faced by unhoused populations in accessing health care and the critical role of Medicaid in addressing their needs. It examined innovative approaches in Kansas and other states, such as outreach programs, care coordination and partnerships with housing services, to improve health outcomes and stability for individuals who are unhoused.

Event recording and resources will be posted soon.

What to Expect

  • Examine current KanCare systems and barriers to enrollment for individuals experiencing homelessness.
  • Explore cross-sector partnerships between Medicaid, housing, and behavioral health services.
  • Discover strategies from Kansas and other states on coordinated outreach and care models.
  • Hear from policymakers, advocates, and practitioners on strengthening access and service delivery.

Speakers

State Perspective

  • Jonathan Pendergrass, Housing & Employment Benefits Program Manager, Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services

Managed Care Organizations

  • Stephanie Cline, L.M.F.T., L.M.A.C., B.C.P.C., C.P.T., Sr. Clinical Program Manager Housing, United Health Care
  • David Fields, M.B.A., Housing Resource Specialist, Sunflower Health Plan

Community Perspectives

  • Becky Gray, M.A., Executive Director, Building Health, Inc.
  • Molly Mendenhall, L.M.S.W., Director of Statewide Initiatives, Kansas Statewide Homeless Coalition
  • Doug Wallace, ESG/HOME-ARP Program Manager, Kansas Housing Resources Corporation

This event is a part of a four-part series. Attend all four sessions and we'll send you a special keepsake as a token of our appreciation for your commitment!

About Kansas Health Institute

The Kansas Health Institute supports effective policymaking through nonpartisan research, education and engagement. KHI believes evidence-based information, objective analysis and civil dialogue enable policy leaders to be champions for a healthier Kansas. Established in 1995 with a multiyear grant from the Kansas Health Foundation, KHI is a nonprofit, nonpartisan educational organization based in Topeka.

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KHI - Kansas Health Institute Inc. published this content on December 09, 2025, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on December 09, 2025 at 19:19 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]