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Minutes for SB175 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare

Short Title

Enacting the rural emergency hospital act to provide for the licensure of rural emergency hospitals.

Minutes Content for Fri, Feb 19, 2021

Chairman Hilderbrand opened the hearing on SB175.

Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill.

Tara Mays and Jennifer Findley testified in support of SB175 from their co-authored testimony, with Tara speaking first. She stated that by passing SB175 it will allow Kansas hospitals to take advantage of action taken in December at the federal level establishing the Rural Emergency Hospital (REH). The REH model provides ambulatory, initial assessment and interventional services. The REH is open to the community every day of the year to provide the consistent service array most needed by the community. (Attachment 1)

Tara took questions from committee members.

Jennifer Findley followed with her proponent testimony. She stated that the research for establishing the REH model started in 2012 and  is a Kansas based approach. They have partnered with the United Methodist Health Ministry Fund and the Kansas Health Foundation and have been holding virtual conversations across the state to share information about the REH model.

Larry Van Der Wege stated in his proponent testimony that the REH would provide an "off ramp" for those hospitals that don't currently have the volume to financially sustain acute inpatient beds. At the same time, provide the services needed to sustain and hopefully maintain the population in the rural community - primary care, emergency/urgent care, lab, radiology, therapy, etc. There would also be the ability for post-acute care, vital for many coming back from the tertiary hospital prior to returning home safely. The goal was also to create a model that did not increase the cost to payers and followed the quality standards the patients deserve. (Attachment 2)

Dennis Shelby gave testimony in support of SB175. He shared a story of his wife's recent experience with health care. His written testimony stated that the overall health status of Kansans is declining more than any other state. Most healthcare in Kansas is delivered outside of the acute care setting. The creation of an REH is an alternative that could keep most healthcare local and allow citizens in rural Kansas to be treated in their own community. (Attachment 3)

There were no additional questions from committee members.

Written only proponent testimony was submitted from:

United States Senator Jerry Moran, Washington, DC (Attachment 4)

United State Senator Roger Marshall, Washington, DC (Attachment 5)

Vicki Whitaker, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine. (Attachment 6)

Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society. (Attachment 7)

Wendi Stark, Research Associate, League of Kansas Municipalities. (Attachment 8)

Jay Hall, Legislative Policy Director and General Counsel, Kansas Association of Counties. (Attachment 9)

David Jordan, President and CEO, United Methodist Health Ministry Fund. (Attachment 10)

John Donley, Kansas Farm Bureau. (Attachment 11)

Alex Orel, Senior Vice President, Kansas Bankers Association. (Attachment 12)

Chairman Hilderbrand closed the hearing on SB175.

 

Chairman Hilderbrand adjourned the meeting at 9:05 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is February 23, 2021.