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Minutes for HB2556 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Expanding medical assistance eligibility and enacting the cutting healthcare costs for all Kansans act.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 20, 2024
Christine Osterlund, Deputy Secretary for Agency Integration and Medicaid, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 1). Ms. Osterlund began by by giving a comparison of the currrent KanCare program and what would occur if Medicaid expansion occurred. Currently to participate an individual must have an income level below 38% of the federal poverty level (FPL). Under the expansion program that rises to 138% FPL. Expansion encourages Kansans to move from episodic care to seeking preventative health care. The work requirement is modeled after that of the SNAP program. Kansas is not expected to require additional SGF outlay to fund this program for approximately 15 years.
Ms. Osterlund responded to questions from the committee.
Donny Lambeth, Representative, North Carolina Legislature, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 2). It was noted that when Medicaid expansion was created, Mr. Lambeth was against it. Over the years his attitude has changed. Through debate, a new bill was introduced that addressed member concerns. These issues included a work requirement, determining how expansion would be funded, fixing issues with Medicaid, and the political consequences. North Carolina went from a fee-for-service payment model to a manage care, risk based model. HB79 was filed in 2023 and passed both chambers and was signed by the governor. The key aspects of the bill were presented to the committee.
Mr. Lambeth responded to questions from the committee.
Erica Christie, Assistant Director, 3 Rivers Center for Independent Living, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 3). 3 Rivers assists people with disabilities to gain employment. There is a large gap between those who qualify for Medicaid or can afford private health insurance and those who have neither. As 3 Rivers navigates the employment process, it is noticed that the increase in earnings or savings results in a loss of Medicaid coverage. Expanding Medicaid will allow our consumers to work more, get stronger, and work towards the goal of getting the healthcare necessary to keep a job. Kansas has a long history of supporting individuals with disabilities and programs like HCBS, Medicaid expansion is a pathway to provide access to healthcare.
Dr. Doug Gruenbacher on behalf of the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 4). Through his 21 years of providing full-scope primary car at the Gove County Medical Center, he has seen many patients forgo or delay health care due to many issues. A list of those issues were provided. Dr. Gruenbacher related a story that reinforced these concerns. Emergency rooms have become the primary care location for many vulnerable patients. Laws require they be treated regardless of the ability to pay. This creates a burden for hospitals. 68% of rural hospitals, including his, are at risk of closing. Expanding Medicaid will provide health care that will extend the life of patients currently in the workforce but caught in the coverage gap. This is about preventive care.
Dr. Gruenbacher responded to questions form the committee.
Billie Hall, President and CEO, Sunflower Foundation, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 5). Information was provided regarding a poll that was taken with small business owners regarding the economic impact of Medicaid expansion. 107 businesses were interviewed. It was noted that 83% of these businesses favored expansion. Results of the poll were provided in the testimony.
Benjamin Anderson, President and CEO, Hutchinson Regional Healthcare System, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 6). Through experience gained as a CEO at various hospitals, Mr. Anderson has developed 3 reasons that Medicaid should be expanded. The first is the issue with uncompensated emergency care to uninsured individuals. Secondly, in Colorado, an expansion state, there have been no rural hospital closures. Thirdly, the most immediate reason is that hospitals have been forced to reduce staffing which creates difficulties in providing quality care.
Mr. Anderson responded to questions from the committee.
Tim DeWeese, Director, Johnson County Mental Health Center, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 7). Expansion would improve accessibility to affordable heath care, as well as, leading to economic development. Expansion would also remove barriers to treatment especially for behavioral health services.
Jeffrey Easter, Sheriff, Sedgwick County Sheriff's Department, provided testimony in support of HB2556 (Attachment 8). Expansion would allow county jails to leverage Medicaid dollars to reduce the costs of prisoner care. An example of the costs associated with an inmate being hospitalized was given. These medical costs ultimately come from local tax dollars. HB2556 would allow those tax dollars to come from a much larger national tax pool than from limited county property tax resources.
The following provided written only testimony in support of HB2556:
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha A-B (Attachment 9)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha C-E (Attachment 10)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha F-H (Attachment 11)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha I-K (Attachment 12)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha L-M (Attachment 13)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha N-R (Attachment 14)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha S-T (Attachment 15)
Private Citizens and Associations Alpha U-Z (Attachment 16)
