IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 11, 2007

FOR INFORMATION CONTACT
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
785/296-2302 Office
 

SPEAKER DISAPPOINTED AFFILIATION MOVING FORWARD 

Topeka – Kansas Speaker of the House of Representatives Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) issued the following statement today regarding a draft affiliation agreement between the University of Kansas, University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC), and St. Luke’s Hospital.

“I am extremely disappointed School of Medicine Dean Barbara Atkinson and KUMC have chosen to move forward with their proposed affiliation with St. Luke’s Hospital before an affiliation agreement has been finalized with KU Hospital Authority (KUH).  It is critically important the affiliation agreement with KUH be completed before KUMC enters into any other affiliation agreement so that our state’s higher education system, medical research potential, and medical education system are protected. 

This draft affiliation agreement with St. Luke’s Hospital appears to be missing a number of important details including financial and does not indicate what impact it will have on KUH as well as KUMC’s medical education program in Wichita.  Kansas taxpayers have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in these medical assets and it is not right such important information be left out.  I hope it is not their intention to keep such vital information a secret and away from a review by Kansans.

It is my belief Dean Atkinson and KUMC should not go ahead with their affiliation agreement with St. Luke’s Hospital until they complete the affiliation agreement with KUH.  This is the best way to protect our state’s health care system now and in the future.”

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