Approved:
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Morrison at 1:30 P.M. on February 15, 2006, in Room 526-S of the Capitol.
All members were present.
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:
Karla Finnell, Executive Director, Kansas Association for the
Medically Underserved
Dr. Barbara Atkinson, Dean, University of Kansas Medical Center
Dr. Roy Jensen, Director, Cancer Center, University of Kansas
Medical Center
Dr. Howard Rodenberg, Director, Division of Health, Kansas
Department of Health and Environment
Dr. Paul Harrison, Chair, Advisory Committee on Trauma
Leanne Irsik, Kansas Hospital Association
Carolyn Middendorf, Kansas State Nurses Association
Others attending:
See attached list (not available on electronic
copy).
The minutes for February 14,
2006, were approved.
Karla Finnell, Executive Director, Kansas Association for the Medically
Underserved, said the Association exists to provide high-quality comprehensive
primary health-care services for the medically underserved, especially those 11%
of Kansas citizens who lack health insurance.
(Attachment 1) Ms. Finnell focused on the role of primary care safety net
clinics and partners, which provide a variety of clinic services, the
partnerships developed according to community resources and interests.
(Attachment 2) She outlined various clinic models which provide
comprehensive primary health care, including oral health, mental health,
prescription drugs, and enabling services. She stated that funding resources
include the Sunflower and other foundations, federal funding, faith-based
support, and inclusion in the Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE)
budget.
Dr. Barbara Atkinson, Dean, University of Kansas Medical Center, outlined the
mission, the variety of services, and the outreach in
Kansas provided through the University of Kansas
Medical Center. She noted that the Center has recruited 122 new faculty during
the past 4 years and she gave details of the growth in services statewide.
(Attachment 3) She commented on the cancer research facilities, and
introduced Dr. Roy Jensen, Director, Cancer Center, University of Kansas Medical
Center, who testified of the challenges and bioscience opportunities offered by
the Cancer Center.
(Attachment 4) He noted the $5 million enhancement in the Governor’s
budget, commenting on the value provided through the additional funding.
The Chair opened the hearing on
HB 2752.
Dr. Howard Rodenberg, Director, Division of Health, Kansas Department of Health
and Environment, spoke as a proponent of the bill.
(Attachment 5) He stated that trauma is a major health issue, noting that
in 1999 the Kansas legislature established a statewide trauma system. However,
he said KDHE is statutorily limited in fully implementing the system and needs
additional authority to designate trauma centers according to the level of
trauma care capabilities.
Dr. Paul Harrison, Chair, Advisory Committee on Trauma, testified about the
value of a trauma system. (Attachment
6) He said that each trauma region has developed plans for hospital
designations which can be implemented upon passage of this bill, with rural
hospitals as ports of entry into the system.
Dr. Craig Concannon, Beloit, representing the Kansas Medical Society, spoke in
support of the bill, noting his experience in rural areas of Kansas as a trauma
physician and the significance of the range of care by designating hospitals
according to their level of trauma care.
Leanne Irsik, St. Catherine’s Hospital, Garden City, representing the Kansas
Hospital Association, spoke as a proponent. (Attachment
7) She said establishing authority to designate levels of trauma care will
result in improved standards, in assurance of consistent care, and in
encouraging best outcomes through data collection and evaluation.
Carolyn Middendorf, representing the Kansas State Nurses Association and the
Kansas Emergency Nurses Association, testified in favor of the bill. (Attachment
8) As a former emergency room nurse, she said the bill will improve the
quality of care in trauma centers.
Mary Mulryan, Administrative Officer, Kansas Board of Emergency Medical
Services, provided written testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment
9)
Answering questions, Dr. Rodenberg said that bringing rural hospitals to Level
3 standards will be one of the first goals of the agency. He estimated that
within a year KDHE would be prepared to begin the designation process.
A fiscal note was provided to the committee.
(Attachment 10)
The hearing on HB 2752 was closed.
The Chair invited consideration of
HB 2829, which had a hearing on February 14.
Representative Kirk explained her recommended amendments to the bill. (Attachment
11)
A motion was made and seconded to accept the amendments. Members
discussed the costs involved in the bill. (See fiscal note,
attachment 12) Representative Kirk commented on the discrepancy between
the number of clinics listed by the Kansas Medical Society and by the Board of
Healing Arts. Other members considered the Board of Healing Arts a more fitting
agency to inspect medical clinics.
The motion to amend passed.
A motion to replace all references to KDHE with the Board of Healing
Arts failed for lack of a second.
A motion was made and seconded to amend the bill by striking language
referring to clinics in general and inserting language that references only
abortion clinics. (Attachment 13)
Members expressed concern and dismay that the amendment was discriminatory and
selective. Others commented that the amendment would ameliorate the fiscal
problems created by the bill and deal with known deficiencies in clinics.
The motion to amend passed, 11-10.
A motion was made and
seconded to recommend the bill favorable for passage. The motion passed 10-8.
The meeting was adjourned at 3:25
p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday, February 16, 2006.