Lawrence Journal-World 06-29-12

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NBA TEAMS DRAFT JAYHAWKS Tyshawn Taylor goes to Brooklyn Nets, Thomas Robinson to Sacramento Kings Sports 1B

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KU gets National Cancer Institute designation By George Diepenbrock and Andy Hyland gdiepenbrock@ljworld.com, ahyland@ljworld.com

Kansas University’s Cancer Center will receive its long-sought Na-

tional Cancer Institute designation, with a formal announcement expected in mid-July, sources said Thursday night. The news was first released by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., on his

Facebook page. “I am pleased that The University of Kansas has been given a green light and I look forward to a formal announcement of their National Cancer Institute designation,” Rob-

erts posted. KU applied for the designation in September, after working for seven years and investing more than $350 million toward the effort that would be a boon for the local econo-

my and offer promising new treatments to cancer patients in the region. Last September, KU officials said the effort had already created 1,123 jobs and contributed $453 million to the region’s economy.

“The announcement’s on its way, and I’m excited,” Ed McKechnie, chairman of the Kansas Board of Regents, said Thursday evening. More details would be Please see KU, page 2A

Historic health care law upheld What does it mean, exactly?

Local reaction mostly positive ——

By Connie Cass

LMH CEO fears increased demand will strain system

Associated Press

What does the court’s ruling mean for me? The Supreme Court decision upholding President Barack Obama’s health care law affects nearly every American. The law tells almost e v e r y one they must have Obama h e a l t h coverage and guarantees it will be available to them even if they are already ill or need hugely expensive care. It helps the poor and many middle-class people afford coverage. What the justices said The high court upheld almost all of the law, including the most disputed part: the mandate that virtually all Americans have health insurance or pay a fine. The court said that fine is essentially a tax, and that’s why the government has the power to impose it. The ruling limited the law’s plan to expand the Medicaid insurance program for the poor, a joint effort of the federal government and states. It says the U.S. government cannot withhold a state’s entire Medicaid allotment if it doesn’t participate in the expansion. Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the court’s Please see OVERVIEW, page 2A

By Karrey Britt kbritt@ljworld.com

Mike Yoder/Journal-World Photo

LARRY FRANKLIN SR., 65, former owner of and now a part-time barber at Larry’s Barber Shop, cuts the hair of Luke Thonen, 11, of Lawrence, Thursday at the shop, 924 Mass. Both Franklin and his son, L.J. Franklin, now the shop owner, far right, have lacked insurance coverage for many years. The elder Franklin thinks passage of the health care bill will help many people in need, while L.J. thinks costs will rise.

Brownback favors a wait-and-see approach By John Hanna Associated Press

TOPEKA — Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback said Thursday he wants to wait until after the presidential election to comply with a key provision of the federal health care overhaul upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, but the state’s Republican insurance commissioner objected. Brownback, also a Republican, told reporters that putting the 2010 health care law into effect in Kansas and other states is a political issue to be resolved by voters in November. “If the American people don’t want Obamacare, it’s a political issue, and it’s about this fall presidential race,

A look at where Kansas stands on implementing President Barack Obama’s federal health care overhaul, which the Supreme Court ruled Thursday can go forward: Number of uninsured: 350,000 state residents are uninsured, or about 13 percent. Where the state stands: The Republican-dominated state government has been hostile to the 2010 federal law and hasn’t moved to set up an online health insurance marketplace. Last year, GOP Gov. Sam Brownback’s administration returned a $31.5 million federal grant given to help set up an exchange. What happens now: Brownback wants to wait until after the November presidential election to decide what to do about the online marketplace and whether the state will expand its Medicaid program. He predicts that if GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney is elected, states won’t have to put either in effect.

whether or not you want to implement it,” Brownback said. “I want to see what happens in the fall.” Brownback Brownback said that if GOP presidential nominee Mitt Romney unseats Democratic President Barack Obama, who championed the law, states are no longer likely to face a requirement to set up exchanges to help consumers buy health insurance. Exchanges would be online marketplaces for health insurance, allowing consumers to comparison Please see BROWNBACK, page 6A

Please see LOCAL, page 6A

INSIDE

Heat repeats Business Classified Comics Deaths

High: 100

Here in Kansas

Low: 74

Today’s forecast, page 10A

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Events listings Horoscope Movies Opinion

A handful of state and Lawrence health leaders said Thursday that they believe President Barack Obama’s health care plan is a step in the right direction when it comes to filling the gaps in the health care system, and they were relieved that the Supreme Court upheld the law. While it’s not perfect, it’s better Praeger than the status quo, they said. Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger said, “This is a first step in creating a health care system that works for all of our citizens. The law will be refined as we go forward, just as many laws are, but it establishes as public policy the importance of everyone in this country having access to affordable health care.” An estimated 350,000 Kansans, including 14,000 in Douglas County, don’t have insurance coverage, and even more have insurance that is inadequate to cover them if they get sick or have an accident. “I think it’s a step toward more people having

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‘The Day After’ reunion

Vol.154/No.181 36 pages

Former cast, crew and extras for the television movie “The Day After,” which was filmed in Lawrence and depicted a nuclear holocaust, gathered for a 30year reunion on Thursday. Page 3A

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