Final Days of the 2025 Session
As we approach the end of the 2025 session, the priorities of the legislature have come into clearer focus. First legislative leaders changed the traditional legislative calendar from ninety business days to ninety calendar days, which significantly compressed the amount of time available for consideration of bills, as well as, passing the state budget, which is one of their primary responsibilities. The legislature has also been clear that providing property tax relief is also a high priority.
This session marks the first year of a legislative biennium, meaning that issues that were not enacted or did not advance from one body to the opposite chamber in this legislative session will remain alive for consideration in the 2026 session.
This session we have seen a host of issues introduced that impact the House of Medicine, ranging from public health, workforce issues, Medicaid, and of course the ever-present scope of practice issues, including pharmacists, nurse anesthetists (CRNAs), and optometrists all seeking to expand the limits of their authorized practice privileges.
SB 67, the CRNA bill that, as introduced, would essentially dissolve the interdependent relationship between CRNAs and physicians and dentists, with the only limitations being that CRNAs engaging in independent practice could not perform surgery for implantation of medication reservoirs, nor could they perform, induce or prescribe drugs for an abortion. The bill was amended in the Senate committee to limit their independent authority to prescribe drugs and order durable medical equipment, which mirrors the changes made two years ago granting the three other categories of APRNs independent prescribing privileges. The amended bill has passed the Senate and the House health committee and awaits action by the full House of Representatives.
Similarly, HB 2223 would allow optometrists to perform certain surgical procedures, including the use of lasers, and to prescribe drugs without any limitation. The bill would also allow the board of optometry to authorize any additional procedures for treatment of the eye that weren’t specifically prohibited by the bill. Based on earlier indications from House Leaders, it was believed that because the bill was controversial and lacked a workable compromise between the optometric and medical professions, it wouldn’t advance this session. However, last week the bill was passed out of the House Health Committee at its final meeting this session. Committee members acknowledged that they heard from hundreds of physicians and optometrists before the committee's action on the bill. It is expected to be debated on the House floor next week, and if passed it will move over to the Senate where if it is not acted upon this session due to time constraints, it will remain alive for further consideration next session.
Legislators generally tend to voice disdain for refereeing these scope of practice issues, as healthcare regulation is complex, often with overlapping roles and responsibilities, competencies, competition, patient safety concerns, and lack of consensus or compromise between the professions. Although there is no substitute for the depth and breadth of medical training, some continue to believe that training in one procedure is equivalent to comprehensive training in differential diagnosis and direction of care, and that limiting scope limits access to care.
While these facts do not bear out, politics prevail, and timing and messaging are critical. Time will show that when education, training and regulation are not consistent, quality and outcomes for patients suffer. Creating two tiers of medical and surgical care does not serve Kansas patients but instead trades so-called “access” for quality and creates inconsistency in the regulation and delivery of healthcare. We continue to advocate for patients receiving the highest quality care, and for training and regulatory requirements which protect them.
Hundreds of physicians answered our call to action to attempt to stop this bill in committee, but the timing and pressure likely outweighed our ability to educate and stop this dangerous bill. Please reach out to your legislator TODAY with your concerns about this ill-conceived bill allowing nonphysicians to perform surgery without adequate training or regulation from a board that includes physicians trained in surgery and the practice of medicine.
The 2025 session is in its final days with committee work wrapping up the first part of next week. The Kansas Medical Society advocates for you and your patients every day, year-round. But your voice is especially critical NOW as legislators contemplate bills impacting your patients and consistent, high-quality care.
If you have questions or concerns about legislative matters, please
