Topic: Medical Malpractice
Interview of Joe Knopp, October 15, 2021
Interviewed by Alan Conroy
Joe Knopp's interview takes place 33 years after he left the legislature in 1988 after losing a close election and short-circuiting his political career. His recollections are still vivid and his interview describes a legislature that has changed considerably in recent years.
Knopp served from 1981 through 1988 and during that time as chair of the House Judiciary Committee was involved in many significant issues: medical practice, corporate hog farming, changes in the DUI law, death penalty, reapportionment, severance tax. As Majority Leader he dealt with a growing split in the Republican caucus --led by the Rebels. Show More He tried to get votes for a special session on a new highway plan. He describes in detail the process of getting elected to a leadership position and how he won by one vote. He talks candidly about balancing his personal views with those of his constituents, particularly on liquor and gambling issues --and he speaks analytically about losing the election in 1988 and again in 2012 when he ran for the Senate. Good insights for anyone contemplating a run for public office. Show Less
Interview of Fred Six, December 4, 2021
Interviewed by Richard Ross and Deanell Tacha
In this oral interview, former Kansas Supreme Court Justice Fred Six recounts his career as Judge of the Court of Appeals and Justice of the Kansas Supreme Court, reviewing changes in procedure that took place during his years on the bench and topics of litigation the courts reviewed. Six explained how the Supreme Court operates, especially as he discussed the "growing pains" brought about from the "IT Revolution." He described precedent-setting opinions and the process of writing a dissent. His discussion of the medical malpractice issues highlighted the tension between the courts and the legislature. After Show MoreJustice Six left the bench, he was asked to work with the Senate and House Judiciary committees to alter the Merit Selection plan of judges. work which was ongoing until 2011. The interview concludes with him stating that his greatest takeaway from his years of service was the establishment in 1992 of the Lawyers Fund for Client Protection. Show Less
Interview of Tom Bell, March 6, 2026
Interviewed by Robert St. Peter
Tom Bell served as CEO of the Kansas Hospital Association from 2012 - 2020 when he retired. As the leader of the trade association representing Kansas hospitals, he provided education and advocacy for the 120 hospitals that were his association's members. Bell describes his work mainly as advocating for hospitals in the Kansas Legislature and with the Kansas Congressional Delegation on federal issues. During his interview he identifies several big state issues that impacted his members: Certificate of Need, scope of practice, rural hospitals, medicaid expansion and reimbursements (DRGs). The passage of the Critical Access Hospital Show Morelegislation saved a lot of hospitals and helped solve some problems. Bell said he was constantly looking for ways to balance the competing interests of all the parts of the health care system. He also noted the COVID pandemic had huge, negative impacts that are still being felt. The interview looks at the advantages or disadvantage of being a non-profit hospital vs a for-profit model. It also discussed the need for a state health planning agency to set policy. In response to the question, what are the "top issues that you think we as a state need to be addressing right now for the well-being of hospitals... and the community", Bell indicated workforce was at the top of the list as well as reimbursement and how to help the community access the best level of health care. He concluded the interview by saying, "...what's good for the hospital ought to be what's good for a particular community." Show Less
Interview of Susan Concannon, June 4, 2026
Interviewed by Robert St. Peter
This interview really focuses on Susan Concannon's interest in health issues. She discusses managed care, who is on Medicaid, what are the eligibility requirements and who the expansion of Medicaid would impact. She offers some ideas about why the issue never passed-- the woodwork effect, the transition to managed care. She was always a proponent. "I wasn’t really treated as an outcast, but I knew that I differed from many of my Republican colleagues on committee." Concannon was removed from her position as Vice Chair of the House Health Committee as a punishment for her Show Morevotes supporting Medicaid expansion. She noted that the reasons not to vote for expansion changed over time: fiscal note too large; Congress will repeal; waiting list for the I/DD PD was too long; Catholic Church's position on abortion. The interview also explores her views on the national health rankings that have declined for Kansas. She strongly believe that Kansas' decline has been "because of the cuts that we made in social services and with not expanding Medicaid. Access to care is such an issue ... I would guess that the reason we popped back up a little bit is the work that we’ve done in the mental health arena and then the new hospital designation." Show Less