Health Forward Foundation

05/21/2026

Health Forward is proud to spotlight the Kansas Common Sense Fund, whose work is uplifting the diverse voices of real Kansans to drive meaningful civic conversation through the Real Kansans project. Their leadership reflects the kind of community-rooted solutions that advance health equity and economic inclusion across our region. Thank you for your partnership and for the impact you make every day.

Take a look and share with someone who cares about Kansas communities.

A student shares how Medicaid in Kansas shaped her survival—and why expanding access to care matters for families and communities.

05/19/2026

Health Forward Foundation is seeking a highly organized and trusted Executive Assistant to support our Executive Leadership Team members, particularly the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Chief Investments Officer (CIO).

This role serves as a central point of contact for a diverse stakeholder group, including the Board of Directors and Community Advisory Committee (CAC) members, visitors, external partners, and internal colleagues.

If you are passionate about supporting leadership that drives community impact, we’d love to hear from you. Apply today: https://searchcareers-omniemployment.icims.com/jobs/4646/executive-assistant/job?mobile=false&width=1140&height=500&bga=true&needsRedirect=false&jan1offset=-360&jun1offset=-300

05/19/2026

People Not Politicians has filed a lawsuit to stop state officials from pressuring local election authorities to use an invalid map for the 2026 elections. Health Forward Foundation is proud to partner with People Not Politicians Missouri and the people of Missouri in the fight for fair, trusted elections.

Over 305,000 Missourians signed their names to put fair congressional maps on the ballot, and election authorities have verified three times the signatures required for the referendum to qualify. Now, Missouri leaders must follow the process and ensure voters can have confidence in the 2026 elections. We stand with communities across Missouri in demanding fair maps, equitable representation, and the right to exercise democracy through referendum.

The games must stop. Missourians deserve elections they can trust.

Read the full statement by Health Forward Foundation: Missouri Voters Deserve a Voice on Congressional Maps — Not Political Delay:

On Tuesday, the Missouri Supreme Court quickly made clear what we already knew: the Secretary of State has everything he needs to certify the signatures and let the people of Missouri vote. Over 305,000 Missourians signed their names because they believe their voice should matter. They exceeded the....

05/12/2026

Health Forward's Kael Martin, MPA delivered the keynote address at the 2026 Missouri Rural Health Workforce Summit hosted by Missouri Primary Care Association and Missouri Rural Health Association.

The presentation highlighted findings from Health Forward’s Regional Healthcare Landscape Assessment and emphasized the importance of strategic workforce investments to expand access to representative, high-quality care, particularly in rural communities.

This work reflects Health Forward’s ongoing commitment to building sustainable health science pathways and strengthening the healthcare workforce as a driver of equitable health outcomes.

Thank you to Joni Adamson, CPRP, Director of Recruitment and Workforce Development for the Missouri Primary Care Association, and Heidi Lucas, Executive Director of the Missouri Rural Health Association for convening leaders and partners committed to advancing rural health across Missouri.

05/01/2026

A recent executive order could put mail-in voting at risk for voters nationwide. For many, voting early isn’t just a preference- it’s a matter of access, mobility, and real-life circumstances. In this piece, Jason Williams, Health Forward's Principal Impact Strategist for the Power Purpose Area, breaks down what’s at stake, who could be impacted, and why protecting mail-in voting is critical to our democracy.

Read more:

There’s a lot changing—and a lot at stake—when it comes to how Americans participate in democracy. At Health Forward, every day we work to support and build inclusive, powerful, and healthy communities characterized by racial equity and economically just systems. That’s why, as new executive...

04/30/2026

For more than a century, Missouri courts have protected the people’s right to referendum. On May 12, that could change.

As recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings narrow federal voting rights protections and limit challenges to gerrymandering, state-level protections like Missouri’s referendum process are more important than ever.

In a new Missouri Independent op-ed, Health Forward’s McClain Bryant Macklin, Chief Policy and Impact Officer, and League of Women Voters of Missouri Board President Kay Park highlight what’s at stake and why fair maps, clear ballot language, and a strong referendum process matter for a democracy.

Read more:

An accountable state government is like a seesaw: government on one side, people on the other. When it works, it moves in a steady rhythm — government acts, people respond. But when one side grows too heavy, the system stops working. The people can push, organize, and speak out, but the balance no...

04/30/2026

Rural communities face unique housing challenges that directly impact health. In our “Housing is Health” policy brief, Lisse Regehr, President and CEO of Thrive Allen County, highlights key issues from limited access to comprehensive services to higher development costs and aging housing stock. During National Healthy Homes Month, Health Forward is calling on policymakers and health care leaders to recognize that housing is health, and to act on opportunities to strengthen community well-being across rural areas.

Read more:https://healthforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HousingIsHealthPolicyIssueBrief-3.pdf

04/29/2026

The constant strain of making rent or mortgage payments doesn’t just affect finances—it affects health. Chronic financial stress can trigger long-term physiological responses linked to hypertension, cardiovascular disease, depression, and anxiety. Households spending more than half their income on housing are also more likely to delay needed medical care and report poorer overall health.

Cities and counties across the Health Forward region have an opportunity to lead by advancing policies that recognize housing as a foundation for health. By addressing housing affordability, we can make meaningful progress toward health equity and stronger, more resilient communities.

Learn more in our “Housing is Health” policy brief.
https://healthforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HousingIsHealthPolicyIssueBrief-3.pdf

04/28/2026

Health Forward Foundation attended the Rural Philanthropy Summit, hosted by Philanthropy Missouri and the Community Foundation of the Ozarks, to connect with rural leaders and funders working to strengthen communities across Missouri.

The Summit provided an opportunity to learn from successful rural initiatives and explore how philanthropy can serve as a catalyst for stronger, healthier rural communities.

Through conversations with partners across the state, Health Forward continues to deepen its understanding of how philanthropy can help advance more equitable rural health outcomes through investments not only in health care, but also in economic opportunity, housing, education, digital access, and civic engagement.

04/27/2026

Housing is more than shelter — it’s a powerful driver of health. During National Healthy Homes Month, we’re highlighting the four primary pathways through which housing shapes health outcomes.

These pathways create both direct and indirect effects, helping us identify where policy and programmatic changes can make the greatest impact. When we focus on these pathways, we can better align housing policy with health outcomes — and create lasting, meaningful change.

Learn more in our “Housing is Health” policy brief:https://healthforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HousingIsHealthPolicyIssueBrief-3.pdf

04/24/2026

In continuation of National Healthy Homes Month, we’re proud to share our “Housing is Health” policy brief.

Everyone deserves the opportunity to live healthy, fulfilling lives, but housing insecurity — driven by rising costs, lack of affordable options, and evolving yet limited, tenant protections — undermines health outcomes and places significant strain on people and the health care system that serves them.

Through innovative partnerships, bold policy initiatives, and a commitment to health equity, we have an opportunity to rethink how we approach health and build communities where housing supports, rather than undermines, well-being. This report explores housing insecurity, the four primary pathways through which housing impacts health, the hidden costs to the health care system, and the unique challenges facing the Kansas City region.

Thank you to our funded partners for lending your voice to this important work. Learn more:https://healthforward.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/HousingIsHealthPolicyIssueBrief-3.pdf