Approved: January 19,2006
Date
MINUTES OF THE HOUSE HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Morrison at 1:30 P.M. on January 18, 2006, in Room 526-S of the Capitol.
All members were present except Representative Kilpatrick, who was excused.
Committee staff present:
Mary Galligan, Kansas Legislative Research Department
Renae Jefferies, Revisor of Statutes’ Office
Gary Deeter, Committee Secretary
Conferees appearing before the committee:
Charles “Chip” Wheelen, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine
Others attending:
See attached list.
The Chair introduced Fred Lucky, Senior Vice President, Kansas Hospital Association, who requested the committee sponsor a bill expanding the prohibition of the sale and use of tobacco in a medical care facility. The request was approved.
The Chair reviewed the way members handle electronic privileged testimony.
The Minutes for 1-17-2006 were approved.
Chip Wheelen, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine, recounted early Kansas medical history and traced the development of the Kansas Healing Arts Act. (Attachment 1) Commenting on the time before Kansas became a state, he said medical practice ranged from snake-oil salesmen and purchased-credential posers to legitimate physicians and apothecaries, one of which was Andrew Taylor Still, an ardent abolitionist and a political activist. He was also one of the first physicians to promote disease prevention and wellness; he eschewed the medical practice of the day and discouraged the use of drugs, eventually renouncing medical practice and founding the American School of Osteopathy at Kirksville, Missouri, in 1892.
Mr. Wheelen reviewed the maneuvering of osteopaths, allopaths (medical doctors), and chiropractors for recognition, credentialing, and scope of practice, noting that a Kansas Supreme Court decision in 1936 restricted osteopaths from prescribing medicine and performing surgery, but that World War II resulted in osteopaths expanding their scope of practice and consequently (in 1955) being credentialed nearly on a level with medical doctors, a consequence that resulted in the Healing Arts Act in Kansas in 1957. He stated that the Act has been amended numerous times and placed other professions under the Healing Arts Board, but only the three branches of the healing arts are governed by the Healing Arts Act.
Answering questions, Mr. Wheelen said podiatrists are limited to prescribing drugs and performing foot surgery; they are not governed by the Healing Arts Board. Likewise dentists have separate statutory credentialing and are governed by a different board; they are allowed to prescribe medicine and perform oral surgery, the latter practice which can be broadened in certain hospital settings. He replied that osteopathic and medical doctors are subject to nearly identical tests to verify competency.
The Chair invited members to request introduction of bills. Representatives Mast and Hill requested a bill deleting a section of the statute relating to renal dialysis. The request was approved by vote of the committee. Representative Kirk requested the committee sponsor a bill increasing the number of social workers on the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. The request was approved.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:23 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, January 19, 2006.