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00000179-cdc6-d978-adfd-cfc6d7d40002Coverage of the issues, races and people shaping Kansas elections in 2016, including statewide coverage in partnership with KCUR, Kansas Public Radio, and High Plains Public Radio.

Sedgwick County Commission Candidates Participate In Public Health Forum

Sean Sandefur
/
KMUW
Becky Tuttle of the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita moderates a public health forum with candidates for Sedgwick County Commission.

Candidates running for Sedgwick County Commissioner gathered for a public health forum Tuesday night, where they were asked a series of questions about the uninsured, food deserts and even immigration.

The discussion on immigration stemmed from a recent County Commission meeting where commissioners considered a resolution asking the state to bar undocumented immigrants from the county’s federally funded Women, Infants and Children program. WIC provides low-income women and families with health classes and nutrition. The resolution would have also asked that the state withdraw in-state tuition benefits for students who are in the country without legal documentation.

Participants of the forum, which was sponsored by several local health organizations, were asked to comment on the issue.

Commissioner Karl Peterjohn, who supports the idea, didn’t address WIC specifically, but cautioned those in attendance that infectious disease rates are high among immigrants.

“We’re seeing illnesses pop up that we haven’t seen in the past. Polio was mentioned, mumps, measles, which can be deadly. Whooping cough, even the plague. We’re in challenging times," he said.

Goddard Mayor Marcey Gregory, an Independent who's also running for Peterjohn's seat, disagreed with putting citizenship limits on county programs. She said it’s important to provide services to all of Sedgwick County’s residents.

“For the good of every citizen in Sedgwick County, we need to make sure they have sufficient access to medical care and good nutrition," she said.

Peterjohn's Republican challenger, retired Air Force Colonel David Dennis, said he’s waiting for officials on the state level to address the issue of citizenship and the WIC program.

Uninsured residents

Candidates were also asked about what can be done to help uninsured residents in Sedgwick County.

Current County Commissioner Tim Norton said he supports Medicaid expansion in Kansas. The Democrat said it’s an integral part of the Affordable Care Act and without it, people fall through the cracks.

“You diminish the amount of people that you can get out of the uninsured ranks and into a payer source that helps out providers, practitioners, hospitals and other parts of the system,” Norton said.

Norton’s challenger, Republican State Rep. Michael O’Donnell, did not attend the health forum.

Dennis said he has concerns over the ACA, but says the county should support programs that help the uninsured.

“We do have programs here in Sedgwick County, like Project Access. And that’s a great place to start. The funding comes from Sedgwick County, the private sector, the United Way. It’s leveraged to provide health care to those that are most in need," he said.

Gregory agreed with Dennis over county funding, saying cuts to public health programs should be limited.

Food deserts

According to a 2013 report from the Health and Wellness Coalition of Wichita, the city faces more than 44 square miles of food deserts, which are defined as low-income neighborhoods that have little access to fresh, affordable food.

Candidates at Tuesday’s health forum were asked what could be done to address this issue.

Gregory said Sedgwick County could team up with neighborhood organizations to bring local produce to residents. She said access to healthy foods needs to be emphasized.

“Obesity is a problem in our country because it’s easier to go through the drive-thru at McDonalds, and sometimes cheaper, than to shop at a farmer’s market," she said.

Peterjohn said he struggles with the concept that many Wichitans live in food deserts yet also struggle with obesity. He said government intervention is getting in the way of seeing additional supermarkets.

Norton said he understands that obesity and food deserts go hand and hand. He said without access to fresh, affordable food, residents choose unhealthy alternatives. He added that the county should have a robust discussion about food deserts in order to spread awareness.

“If you live on the far east or far west side [of Wichita] you might not worry about [food deserts], but if you live in pockets of the south side around West High School and some other areas, you worry about it," he said.

Peterjohn will face David Dennis in the Aug. 2 primary. The winner of that race will face Marcey Gregory in November’s general election.

Norton, who does not have a Democratic challenger in the primary, will face O’Donnell in November.

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Follow Sean Sandefur on Twitter @SeanSandefur

To contact KMUW News or to send in a news tip, reach us at news@kmuw.org.