From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
Lawmakers returned to the Statehouse last week for their wrap-up session. They then adjourned early Friday morning until May 23, at which time they will come back to complete work on a congressional district map.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
As you may have read in the media, a state legislator who is also a physician sent a letter to other health care providers regarding COVID-19 treatment. Local media reports this week indicate Senator Mark Steffen, MD — a Hutchinson anesthesiologist — sent a letter on official Senate stationery to numerous Kansas health care providers telling them that the standard of care for treatment of COVID-19 patients had changed and that they will be shielded from “interference” by the Kansas State Board of Healing Arts (KSBOHA). He also suggests that a physician’s “failure to treat” according to the new standard will be considered “wanton disregard.”
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
The Kansas Legislature adjourned the main portion of the 2022 regular session in the early hours of Saturday morning. Lawmakers will reconvene April 25 for a few days to wrap up any unfinished business and consider any bills vetoed by the Governor.
Among the contentious issues passed by lawmakers this week was the APRN bill, Senate Substitute for House Bill 2279.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
On Tuesday, the Kansas House voted to non-concur with the Senate Substitute for House Bill 2279, which would amend the APRN practice statute to permit the prescribing of drugs without a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. The bill, which did not have a public hearing in the Senate on its specific provisions, represents a significant change in health care law which needs more thorough vetting. The House signaled they agreed by voting 91-26 to send it to the conference committee for further consideration.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
After March 18, the regular session of the Legislature should be over for the most part. Then begins the process of reconciling bills in conference committees and in final floor vote activity. After the coming week there will likely be few (if any) new bills considered in 2022. Last week, the Senate voted to approve Senate Substitute for House Bill 2279 (the so-called APRN bill), which would amend the APRN practice statute to permit the prescribing of drugs without a collaborative practice agreement with a physician. While the bill’s impact is limited to prescribing, KMS believes that the prescribing of drugs is fundamental to the practice of medicine, and cannot be simply and safely parsed out to non-physician practitioners working without the collaboration or involvement of physicians.
From Rachelle Colombo, KMS Executive Director:
This KMS update is to ask you — yet again — to take a moment now to remind Kansas lawmakers of what they need to know as they consider what would be sweeping legislation, now under consideration, implicating the practice of medicine in our state. HB 2279 would amend Kansas's advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) authorized scope of practice statute to permit their prescribing of drugs without a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a physician, among other things.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
Yesterday the Legislature began the second half of its 2022 session. That means most bills that have not already been passed by their originating chamber are unlikely to receive further consideration this year.
Among the bills that are still very much alive this session is HB 2279, which would amend the advanced practice registered nurse (APRN) authorized scope of practice statute to permit the prescribing of drugs without a collaborative practice agreement (CPA) with a physician; it would also require such nurses to carry an unspecified level of liability insurance.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo
Today the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee approved a bill that would allow nurse practitioners (APRNs) to prescribe drugs and practice without collaborative practice agreements.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
It was another busy week in the Legislature leading up to its first major deadline — Turnaround Day on Feb. 24 — when most bills must be passed out of their originating chamber to receive further consideration.
From KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo:
If you followed much of the media coverage of the Kansas legislature this week, you know just how tumultuous of a week it was. As we’ve detailed in previous legislative updates: this is an election year; it’s also a once-in-a-decade re-drawing of legislative and congressional districts; and the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic continues to be politically contentious. Each of these factors introduces variables into the legislative process that make this session particularly unpredictable.
A message from Rachelle Colombo
Thank you everyone who was able to attend the first annual KMS Advocacy Day last week. We recognize how difficult it is to take time away from practice and to navigate events in this environment. We were pleased to have a strong showing of physicians representing more than a dozen specialties join together to learn about legislation and meet with elected officials to advocate for the profession. In a time when so many proposals impact patient access and care, it is critical that physicians have relationships with their Representatives and Senators and can serve as a trusted source of factual information.
A look back at the first annual Advocacy Day
Last week, KMS and more than a dozen specialty societies hosted our first annual Advocacy Day. About 60 physicians, PAs, and medical students attended along with staff and guests from partner organizations — including from the event’s four generous sponsors: KAMMCO, HealthyBlue, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas, and UnitedHealthcare.
A message from Rachelle Colombo about Advocacy Day
We know it has been a long two years, particularly for physicians and others continuing to cope firsthand with fallout from the pandemic. Much has changed — and continues to change. However, the Kansas legislature continues to meet — where most of the public policy that affects the practice of medicine is enacted. Of course, we continue to advocate for you in the Statehouse and otherwise — and we will do so however circumstances may change.
Under the direct supervision of the Professionals' Health Program (PHP) Program Director, this position provides appropriate activities for intakes, intervention, support, referral to treatment and monitoring of physicians, physician assistants, medical students (program participants), chiropractors and any other allied group participants with health-related issues such as substance use disorders, mental and emotional concerns, physical illness, behavioral health issues, and other issues resulting in PHP involvement.
New emergency declaration issued
On Thursday, Gov. Kelly issued a new 15-day state of emergency and signed two executive orders aimed at addressing staffing shortages at hospitals and nursing homes as COVID-19 cases climb in Kansas.
Immediate response requested: Your ballot for KMS election of officers
The KMS Nominating Committee presents the following slate of candidates for KMS annual elections to be held on Monday, January 24, 2022, beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the KMS Annual Meeting to be held in the Vanguard Ballroom at the Cyrus Hotel, 920 S Kansas Avenue in Topeka. Trustees and officers will serve two-year terms. (*As indicated below, currently serves on the Board, and is eligible for re-election.)
The Kansas Medical Society Professionals’ Health Program is hiring a full-time Clinical Case Manager. Under the direct supervision of the KMS PHP Program Director, this position provides appropriate activities/talks for intakes, intervention, support, treatment facility referral, monitoring of program participants with health related issues such as substance use disorders, mental and emotional health issues, and other issues resulting in PHP involvement. The Clinical Case Manager meets with participants for monitoring with appropriate interaction to meet criteria set forth in KSBHA Professional Development Plans and Consent Orders.
2022 Advocacy Day schedule now available
We are planning to hold the 2022 Advocacy Day in person on January 25 in Topeka. Among other things, Advocacy Day will offer a chance to hear from KMS leadership about the upcoming legislative session, to meet with legislative leaders, and to meet with your specialty society peers. While some specialty societies may also hold events later in the year, Advocacy Day is the one event of the year for all Kansas physicians. The event schedule is now available here: www.kmsonline.org/AdvocacyDay.
(Update, 11/24/2021) AG Derek Schmidt advises employers not to question religious beliefs of employees who claim waiver from vaccine mandate: Read full announcement here.
The Kansas Legislature convened for an unprecedented special session on Monday to consider legislation responding to the federal COVID-19 vaccine mandates. Both chambers concluded their work in just 13 hours. Gov. Laura Kelly has already signed the bill into law.
Physician Leaders Forum
Building on the information shared during the Physicians Leaders Forum in June, this virtual session will focus on physician resilience and wellbeing in a post-COVID environment. A panel discussion will highlight strategies currently being used in Kansas to address physician and health care worker resilience. This event—co-presented by KMS and the Kansas Hospital Association—will be from noon to 1:15 p.m. on Dec. 14, 2021. More information and free registration here: www.kmsonline.org/PhysicianLeadersForum.
The Physician Leaders Forum—cosponsored by the Kansas Medical Society (KMS) and the Kansas Hospital Association (KHA)—was a no-cost virtual event bringing together Kansas physician leaders and fostering discussion regarding critical issues impacting health and health care in Kansas. The focus of this virtual event was physician resilience and wellbeing in a post-COVID environment. A recording of the event—held on June 29, 2021—is available here.
The legislature will return May 26 for the official conclusion of the 2021 session, Sine Die, a traditionally ceremonial day albeit one that could entail some official business, such as votes to override vetoes.Otherwise, bills considered by the legislature this year have either expired or may carry over to next session. Following is a look back at the primary issues we were tracking this year and where things stand ahead of the 2022 session.
As we continue to face challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, KMS seeks to support our membership with a variety of resources. The Federation of State Professionals’ Health Programs (PHP) and the KMS PHP has compiled the following list of free resources available that will hopefully assist you in maintaining your own health. If you need additional resources or emotional support, the KMS PHP staff can be reached 24 hours a day at (785) 235-2383.
