By Dena K. Hubbard MD, FAAP
(Continued)
Conference Committee Report on HB 2119, including HB 2402 and HB 2082, passed both chambers. HB 2402 “Corporate practice of medicine” gave authority for Cerner, BCBS of Kansas City and other insurers, as well as qualified association insurance plans to hire physicians and chiropractors. Kansas Medical Society and allied health professions, Board of Healing Arts, and bill proponents negotiated a process to grant certification to the proponents’ business if they agreed to adhere to same regulations as healthcare providers and limits to the two professions (physicians and chiropractors). The win in this legislation is that we supported KMS in making changes to original legislation resulting in a better bill. HB 2082 passed and allows pharmacist to aid and administer injections to patients allowed to self-inject pursuant to prescription unless specifically prohibited. Also, HB 2360 passed which requires background checks for employees and volunteers with unsupervised access to children and seniors.
LOSSES (The bad.)
You’ve likely heard that Medicaid expansion (revised HB 2066) passed the house, but was never brought to the Senate for a vote. This is a huge loss for children and families in Kansas, which remains one of 14 states that have not expanded Medicaid. KAAP will continue to work to support this. Stay in the boat!
Other losses include HB 2099, Farm Bureau and association health plans, and passed both chambers. KAAP provided verbal and written testimony opposing the Farm Bureau legislation as it is non-ACA compliant. These “health products” are not insurance and therefore exempt from Insurance Department regulatory authority and allows for non-ACA compliant health product (not insurance) that to not cover essential benefits and can exclude pre-existing conditions.
SB 28 passed both chambers authorizing the use of cannabidiol treatment preparation to treat certain medical conditions. SB 113 remains alive for next session providing for the legal use of medical cannabis. KAAP provided written testimony in opposition to any use of marijuana outside FDA regulation. HB 2244 Authorizing the use of cannabidiol treatment preparation with 5% THC to treat certain medical conditions. Bill was placed in conference committee very late in the wrap-up session. Passed the House and Senate and is awaiting the Governor’s action.
LOOKING AHEAD TO 2020 (The ugly?)
House Bill 2326 passed House which includes reciprocity of concealed carry permit between jurisdictions and lower concealed carry age to 18. HB 2415 remains alive for 2020 and this legislation prohibits healthcare questions regarding weapons. KAAP will provide testimony in strong opposition to this legislation. We need you to speak up for children on this issue!
Legislation in Alabama and Missouri regarding banning abortions have recently become a reality and this debate will continue in Kansas. SB67 passage/fail to override: Requires notification to patients that the effects of a medication abortion may be reversible. The State Supreme Court ruling in the Hodes & Nauser, MDs v. Schmidt concluded that the right to an abortion is protected by the State constitution. There will be more in the days ahead.
Extending APRN Scope of Practice (formerly HB 2066 which was a gut and go for Medicaid expansion) is now HB 2412. It did not pass either chamber, but will likely continue to be an issue.
If you are interested in learning more about advocacy, consider attending the AAP Legislative conference in 2020! As always, please feel free to contact me at dkhubbard@cmh.edu if you have questions, concerns, comments related to health policy. Thank you for all you do to #PutKidsFirst! Stay in contact with your legislators and work towards developing relationships while decision makers are back home in your communities. We want them to think of KAAP first for anything related to children’s health and well-being.
