NEWTON, Kan., (June 17, 2026) – NMC Health is proud to announce a new partnership to bring better, more affordable healthcare to Kansas families. Our hospital is a founding member of the new Kansas High Value Network (KS-HVN). Six other hospitals in the state have also joined this group. Together, our health network will care more than 190,000 patients across Kansas.
The goal of the network is simple. We want to improve patient care, lower out-of-pocket costs, and help secure the future of local healthcare. By working together, these seven hospitals can share tools, track health data, and talk with insurance companies as a large group. This helps us get better health options for our communities.
“Think of the network like a local farming co-op,” said Val Gleason, President and CEO of NMC Health. Gleason also sits on the KS-HVN Board of Directors. “In a farm co-op, independent farmers team up to negotiate and share knowledge. But each farmer still owns and runs their family farm. The KS-HVN works the same way. It gives our hospital the strength of a huge group while keeping our local hospital board in total control.”
To help our medical teams, the network built two new groups: a Clinical Integration Committee and a Care Coordination Committee. These groups bring doctors and clinical leaders together to build shared best practices. They also make it easier for records to be securely shared between doctors. This cuts down on paperwork, prevents repeated tests, and gives doctors more time with patients.
The network is also open to other hospitals. A major goal of the KS-HVN is to help rural hospitals stay independent. When rural hospitals join our network, they get access to tools to help them stay open. This keeps vital healthcare close to home for rural Kansas families.
By coordinating care, we can leverage the high-quality outcomes provided right here at home. This saves health care dollars for local businesses and family budgets. It proves that doing what is best for the patient is also best for our hospital’s future.
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The KS-HVN is a new group of seven (7) independent, rural hospitals working together. They work together to develop business and medical best practices to keep healthcare strong in local towns. NMC Health is a proud founding member of this network, which is set up for quick growth. The group has created a clinically integrated network (CIN) that cares for about 575,000 patients. Together, they help improve health care quality, coordinate patient visits, and cut down on paperwork for providers.
No. Absolutely not. Just like members of a farming co-op, every hospital in the network stays 100 percent independent. Our local board of directors still runs our hospital. There is no transfer of ownership, building assets, or local control.
Many hard challenges in healthcare force hospitals to combine into giant corporate systems. They do this because being part of a big group helps cut costs and build better data tools. While big city hospitals are important for highly specialized care, we believe our patients are best served by keeping our hospital focused right here on our community. This network gives us the power and savings of a huge group without giving up our local choice.
Many hard challenges in healthcare force hospitals to combine into giant corporate systems. They do this because being part of a big group helps cut costs and build better data tools. While big city hospitals are important for highly specialized care, we believe our patients are best served by keeping our hospital focused right here on our community. This network gives us the power and savings of a huge group without giving up our local choice.
Decisions will be made the exact same way they are right now. Our local board and health leaders live and work in our community, and they will continue to make all the choices. By being part of KS-HVN, we can access a network to help us do things we cannot do alone. This access further strengthens our ability to make the best possible local choices.
A CIN is a group of local doctors and independent hospitals that work as a team. They share data and set best practices for high-quality care and cost control. This team approach helps improve patient health, cuts down on paperwork, and keeps medical costs low for families and local employers.
The network is starting with seven founding hospitals across Kansas. We are actively welcoming other Kansas hospitals to join us. The charter members are:
- NMC Health in Newton
- Clara Barton in Hoisington
- Gove County Medical Center in Quinter
- Hays Medical Center in Hays
- Patterson Healthcare in Anthony
- Pawnee Valley Community Hospital in Larned
- Scott County Hospital in Scott City
By working with other independent rural hospitals, we share our medical and business know-how to keep high-quality care close to home. This will mean smoother doctor visits, better support for your medical team, and lower costs. Over time, the network will also work with health insurance companies to build plans that cut your out-of-pocket bills.
Keeping top-tier care in our town for the long haul is great news for patients. Here are a few things you will see:
- Care Quality: Hospitals will compare notes to find ways to improve care, close gaps, and stop unnecessary ER trips.
- Smoother Record Sharing: A shared data platform helps coordinate your care if you need to see doctors at multiple locations.
- Better Experience: Less paperwork gives clinicians more time to focus on you, which helps us keep excellent doctors in our town.
- Volume Negotiations: Group discussions with payers can help lower out-of-pocket costs for patients.
- Lower Equipment Costs: Group buying power allows us to control the costs of medical tools, which keeps care affordable for you.
When our facilities thrive, our staff also benefits. Doctors will get a supportive peer group through the Clinical Integration Committee. Nurses and quality staff will have the Care Coordination Committee, and business leaders will have their own peer support teams.
Yes. Joining the network has no immediate impact on our insurance contracts. We still accept your current insurance plans.
By joining this group, a rural hospital instantly gets the data tools, technology, and buying power of a network serving more than 190,000 patients. This help keeps them financially stable and independent.
No. You can keep seeing your current doctors. The network takes place entirely behind the scenes. It simply gives your current doctors better data tools, smoother ways to share files, and stronger support so they can give you the best care possible.
By sharing data, we catch health problems early before they become costly emergencies. These changes save a lot of money, which lowers out-of-pocket medical bills and keeps insurance rates down for local bosses and family budgets.
Yes. The network is actively welcoming and encouraging other Kansas hospitals to join the group. We want to build a strong team across the entire state. Any hospital that commits to meeting our high-quality care steps and working closely to help patients can apply to become a member.
No. Emergency care will work exactly the same way it does today. If you have an emergency, you should still go straight to the nearest hospital. The network does not change where you go for urgent help. It just makes sure that if you need to see a specialist afterward, your medical files move safely and quickly to your next doctor.