Rachelle Colombo; KMS Director of Government Affairs
With committee action on most bills now complete, the legislature begins the process of wrapping up the main part of the 2015 regular session. There are two full weeks left before the legislature's first adjournment, scheduled for April 3. As that date approaches, the legislature will complete action on most bills remaining to be considered, and then sharpen its focus on passing an appropriations bill to fund state government and services.
The last major policy debate before the House Health committee this week centered on the Kansas Hospital Association's bill expanding Medicaid, HB 2319. Their proposal would direct the Governor to apply for federal approval to expand coverage for about 145,000 low-income, uninsured Kansans in a budget-neutral way. KMS testified in support of the bill, along with more than 150 other health care, business and community organizations and many individuals. Proponents led by KHA made a strong case for expansion, citing the importance of this proposal to improving access to care for the uninsured and to supporting hospitals put at risk by reductions in Medicare and federal support for providing uncompensated care. Opponents of the measure focused heavily on the cost to the state of expansion, as well as concerns about trusting the federal government to stand by its commitment to fund 90 percent of the costs of covering the expansion population on into the future. The Kansas Department of Health and Environment, which didn't take a position on the bill, nevertheless expressed concerns about the costs of expansion and that the proposed expansion favored providing coverage to able-bodied, low-income individuals over the disabled population, of which there are about 6,000 on waiting lists to qualify for Medicaid. The bill has not been scheduled for action, but it remains alive and could be taken up again when the legislature returns at the end of April to complete action on budgets and consider any bills vetoed by the governor.
Though neither of the Health committees has taken them up for action, the bills proposed by the APRNs and Certified Nurse Midwives to dissolve collaborative practice agreements and allow for independent practice remain alive for consideration. They are being supported by Americans for Prosperity, a grassroots organization promoting free-market economic policy. Americans for Prosperity (AFP) believes that collaborative practice agreements are a barrier to competition in the health care market, serving only as a deterrent to entrepreneurial advanced practice nurses. The group testified in support of APRN independent practice in SB 69 and also indicated their support for HB 2280, the nurse midwife bill. It is difficult to gauge whether the AFP involvement will resonate with legislators, but their position to promote deregulation and free markets in health care should not be discounted.
Because this is the first in a two-year cycle, bills that were introduced but did not advance beyond deadlines will automatically return at the start of next session, ensuring that even as the calendar clears for this year, work awaits us in the session to come. As always, we continue to advocate for the health of Kansas citizens and keeping the practice of medicine in physicians' hands.
If you have further comments or questions pertaining to legislative matters, please contact KMS Director of Government Affairs, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..