Approved: March 13, 2007
Date
MINUTES OF THE HOUSE GOVERNMENT EFFICIENCY AND TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Jim Morrison at 3:30 P.M. on March 8, 2007, in Room 526-S of the Capitol.
All members were present except:
Kasha Kelley- excused
Lee Tafanelli- excused
Committee staff present:
Mary Galligan, Kansas Legislative Research
Tatiana Lin, Kansas Legislative Research
Renae Jefferies, Office of Revisor of Statutes
Gary Deeter, Committee Assistant
Conferees appearing before the committee:
Dr. Barbara Atkinson, Executive Vice Chancellor, University of Kansas Medical Center, and Executive Dean, University of Kansas School of Medicine
Others attending:
See attached list.
Dr. Barbara Atkinson, Executive Vice Chancellor, University of Kansas Medical Center, and Executive Dean, University of Kansas School of Medicine, introduced some of her staff and briefed the Committee on the vision of the University of Kansas Medical Center (KUMC) (Attachment 1 and Attachment 2). She explained the distinction between the Medical Center (research, curriculum/education, employing most of the physicians) and the University of Kansas Hospital Authority, where most clinical experience is provided. She gave a brief summary of her professional experience and reviewed the accomplishments of the KUMC during the past five years; among them:
• Because of the new interdisciplinary curriculum, KUMC is ranked as one of the top medical schools in the nation related to curriculum;
• KUMC ranks first among all U.S. medical schools in placing graduates in family medicine residencies;
• National Institute of Health funding has increases nearly 22%; and
• Since 2005 52 new faculty positions have been added.
Dr. Atkinson stated that the Center has reached a stage where major transformation is needed, noting two initiatives that serve as harbingers for the future: the State of Kansas has embarked on a quest to transform the economy through investment in the biosciences, and leaders in the Kansas City region have created a vision for prominence in the life sciences, proposing a ten-year $150-million investment in the life sciences that will return $1.3 billion to the region in the next ten years. Further, she said, the KUMC is developing plans to create a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center, plans which include possible affiliation with St. Luke’s Hospital in Missouri. Dr. Atkinson listed the advantages of such an affiliation:
• Train up to 100 additional doctors;
• Access a broader patient base for research;
• Advance the goal of achieving NCI designation; and
• Generate private and regional donations.
Commenting that KUMC presently has affiliations with 35 Kansas hospitals, including two competing hospitals in Wichita, she stated that wider affiliations will enhance KUMC’s research and teaching; she noted that KUMC is merely expanding its present affiliation with St. Luke’s for research and education, not for clinical care.
Addressing KU Hospital’s concerns, Dr. Atkinson said KUMC affiliation with St. Luke’s will:
• not have a detrimental affect on faculty physicians;
• not transfer Kansas tax dollars to Missouri;
• not compromise KUMC’s mission;
• not mean pursuing stem cell research.
Dr. Atkinson responded to many questions from Committee members:
• The additional $15 million each year will go to recruit new physicians and researchers and will free up budgeted funds for other expansion. Dr. Karen Kelley, a nationally recognized expert on lung cancer, has been recruited by KUMC. Dr. Atkinson added that new physicians should within three years generate additional income to replace the original cost of recruiting them.
• In order to receive the NCI designation, KUMC must expand research and initiate more clinical trials.
• Because Wichita offers the best training for community hospitals, most residents interested in family practice do their training at one of the two Wichita hospitals.
• The promised annual funding of $15 million will come from Kansas City area businesses, foundations, and private donors on both sides of the state line.
• St. Luke’s will have the same agreement as Wichita hospitals and Children’s Mercy Hospital—residents will be trained there, but faculty cannot practice nor be credentialed through any hospital except KU Hospital unless a faculty member has permission from the CEO of KU Hospital.
• The NCI designation is given to the KUMC, not the Hospital.
Dr. Roy Jensen, Director, Kansas Masonic Cancer Research Institute, KUMC, responding to questions regarding the NCI designation, said that he has worked at the National Cancer Institute, has helped other groups obtain NCI designation, and that the NCI designation and affiliation with St. Luke’s was “absolutely critical” in attracting philanthropic support, research grants, and quality staff; he added that Kansans will benefit immeasurably from KUMC having the NCI designation.
Dr. Kirk Benson, President, Kansas University Physicians, and Senior Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, KUMC, replied to a question that the proposed affiliation with St. Luke’s has caused physicians to respond with enthusiasm tempered with concern: enthusiasm for the potential for growth, but concern because St. Luke’s is a competitor, resulting in minimizing the KU Hospital brand.
Dr. Atkinson continued responding to questions:
• Obtaining the NCI designation by affiliation with St. Luke’s will elevate both KUMC and the KU Hospital.
• Negotiations between KUMC and the KU Hospital are ongoing. The most difficult issues–aligning faculty with the Hospital, giving the Hospital authority over the clinical practice, aligning program planning with the Hospital, identifying the flow of funds–have already been settled. The pending issues deal with branding and identity, whether or not the KU Hospital will be defined as “the primary academic, clinical, teaching, and research hospital for KUMC.”
• KUMC has not ignored the Wichita programs, but expanding in Wichita awaits community support and funding; the Kansas City community is ready to make a significant investment for expansion, allowing KUMC to widen its programs in Kansas City. (Dr. Jensen offered specific details regarding KUMC programs in Wichita.)
• The anticipated 100 new residents will not reduce Wichita’s residency contingent, but will draw from outside the state.
• Many residents are reluctant to move to Wichita if they can get rotations in the Kansas City area. However, the quality of primary care training in Wichita attracts residents who plan to go into family practice.
• KUMC has about 1000 agreements with various hospitals, 700 for the nursing school and 300 for physician residents, 50 of the 300 in Wichita.
• Regarding the annual $15 million, the KUMC will control the funds and allocate them in relation to program needs. To a further question, she acknowledged that donors will be able to designate funds to certain programs.
Dr. Jensen replied to a question that he planned to apply for the NCI designation in 2009.
The meeting was adjourned at 5:18 p.m. The next meeting is scheduled for Monday, March 12, 2007.