KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The University of Kansas' medical center and hospital are officially teaming up with Children's Mercy Hospital to help meet the growing demands in child health care.

The hospital in Kansas City, Mo., and the university have been working together for years, but they announced an official alliance Monday for an integrated pediatric program.

The Kansas City Star reports (http://bit.ly/VtKQQ5 ) that the program will include Children's Mercy, the University of Kansas Medical Center, the University of Kansas Hospital and the University of Kansas Physicians.

Leaders of the project say consultants will help them improve the network of services in the region and navigate both Missouri's and Kansas' Medicaid reimbursements and malpractice insurance issues.

They hope to have the program running by the end of next year.

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Information from: The Kansas City Star, http://www.kcstar.com