Topeka whisperings: According to individuals close to events in the Kansas Legislature, Kansas University Chancellor Robert Hemenway and KU Medical Center Executive Vice Chancellor Barbara Atkinson are considering the possibility of trying to change the organizational structure of KU Hospital.

Earlier this year, Gov. Kathleen Sebelius tried to pack the KU Hospital board with individuals who would vote as she wished on matters such as the affiliation of the hospital with St. Luke’s Hospital in Kansas City, Mo. The attorney general, however, ruled that KU Provost Richard Lariviere could not serve as an ex-officio board member.

Apparently, Hemenway, Atkinson and Sebelius would like to change who and how many individuals can serve on the hospital board – and who qualifies for a voting board position.

If there is truth to this rumor, it will be interesting to note the reaction of Kansas lawmakers after the chancellor and Atkinson saw no reason to give legislators any say in the KU Hospital, KUMC, St. Luke’s mess.