Topeka ? What a difference a year makes.

On Thursday, members of a House committee applauded – literally – after Kansas University Medical Center and KU Hospital officials briefed them on their signed agreement.

“The Hatfields and McCoys have left the building,” KU Hospital president and chief executive officer Bob Page joked.

Both he and Barbara Atkinson, executive vice chancellor of KU Medical Center, said the two partners had reached an operating agreement that would increase research, education and the number of doctors in Kansas.

Referring to the agreement, Atkinson said, “Ultimately, this is what we need for more and better doctors for Kansas.”

Last year, a political storm broke out when KU was negotiating a research and training affiliation with St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City, Mo.

Officials at KU Hospital said they feared the affiliation between KU Medical Center and one of its competitors would be harmful.

The dispute spilled out before the House Government Efficiency and Technology Committee.

But recently, KU Medical Center has made agreements with St. Luke’s and KU Hospital that have been accepted by all parties.