Approved:

Minutes of the House Health and Services Committee

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Morrison at 1:30 P.M. on February 14, 2006, in Room 526-S of the Capitol.

All members were present except Representatives Bethell and Hill.

Committee staff present:
    Melissa Calderwood, Kansas Legislative Research Department
    Mary Galligan, Kansas Legislative Research Department
    Renae Jefferies, Revisor of Statutes’ Office
    Gary Deeter, Committee Secretary 

Conferees appearing before the committee:
            Representative Nancy Kirk

            Rebecca Rice, Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists
            Chip Wheelen, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine
            Jerry Slaughter, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society
            Lawrence Buening, Executive Director, Kansas Board of Healing Arts
            Mark McCune, M.D., Kansas Board of Healing Arts
                       
Others attending:

See attached list (not available on electronic copy).

The minutes for February 13, 2006, were approved.

The Chair opened the hearing on HB 2829.

Representative Nancy Kirk spoke in support of the bill.   (Attachment 1)   She commented that the bill addresses the need to regulate presently unregulated facilities where office-based surgeries and specialized procedures are performed.  She stated that the bill does not list best practices, since such practices are constantly upgraded; rather standards are allowed to be more flexible under the direction of the rules and regulations of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE).  She estimated about 300 facilities would fall under the scope of the bill.   She suggested several clarification changes to the bill.

Rebecca Rice, Kansas Association of Nurse Anesthetists, provided neutral written testimony.   (Attachment 2)

Chip Wheelen, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine, spoke as an opponent to the bill.  (Attachment 3)   He commented that only a few osteopathic physicians would be affected by the bill; he suggested an alternative as the tiered standards established by the Kansas Board of Healing Arts, which apply to all members regulated by the Board of Healing Arts.  He noted the significant increase in cost by implementing the bill. 

Jerry Slaughter, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society, testified as an opponent.   (Attachment 4)   He stated that the Board of Healing Arts has adopted regulations that encompass the intent of the bill, making the proposed legislation unnecessary, duplicative, and costly.  He observed that nothing in the bill requires the Secretary of the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to adopt rules and regulations that match those established by the Board of Healing Arts, setting up potential conflicts.

Lawrence Buening, Executive Director, Kansas Board of Healing Arts, spoke in opposition to the bill.  (Attachment 5)  He included a survey to illustrate the Board’s interest in oversight for free-standing clinics.    (Attachment 6)   He was especially concerned about section 6, which requires the Board to reimburse KDHE for inspections, significantly increasing the Board’s expenditures; he suggested reimbursements be drawn from the State General Fund.  He referenced board member Dr. Mark McCune’s written opposition to the bill. (Attachment 7)

Committee members had several questions:  Mr. Slaughter replied that the Board of Healing Arts already has the authority to investigate any physician’s office.  Mr. Wheelen said that ambulatory surgical centers have stringent regulations similar to what has been adopted by the Board of Healing Arts.  He replied to another question that assessing a fee to the inspected facility would help defray costs.

A fiscal note was included.  (Attachment 8)

The hearing on HB 2829 was closed.

The committee considered HB 2497A motion was made, seconded and passed to adopt the Revisor’s technical amendment.

A motion was made and seconded to accept the balloon amendments from KDHE testimony on February 8, excluding the word arrest.    Discussion centered on issues of fingerprint identity, DNA identity, and implications of an arrest.   The motion passed.

A motion was made and seconded to strike the words and expungement.
   The motion passed 7-6.  

A motion was made and seconded to recommend HB 2497 favorable for passage as amended.  The motion passed. Representative Colloton volunteered to carry the bill.

The Chair announced that HB 2649 with the Bethell amendment would be worked on Monday.

Staff Melissa Calderwood briefed the committee on HB 2752, which amends current law regarding a trauma registry, expanding the authority of the Secretary of KDHE to develop rules and regulations, including fees, to support the designation of trauma facilities by level of trauma care capabilities after consultation with, among others, the American College of Surgeons Committee on Trauma Standards.  She noted changes in reference to clarify current resources and agencies.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:49 p.m.
  The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, February 15, 2006.