Emotions Run High Over Patient Bill of Rights
On Wednesday this week, Senate Public Health and Welfare held their hearing on SB 352, the John D. Springer Patient Bill of Rights. With 6 proponents testifying in-person, 3 proponents appearing by Webex, and 13 written-only proponents, it made for an emotional morning hearing the heartbreak the COVID pandemic brought upon Kansas families. Two opponents to the bill, the Kansas Medical Society and Kansas Hospital Association, appeared in-person and faced criticism from legislators, including the bringer of the bill, Senator Steffen. The bill would force healthcare providers to decide whether to comply with federal regulations to continue receiving funding or face civil suits resulting in minimum payouts of $25,000. LeadingAge Kansas did not provide testimony due to the definition of medical care facility used throughout the bill not including adult care homes, but attended the hearing to get a sense of what a future conference committee may bring. The Senate version has not yet been worked for final action by the committee.
The day before, LeadingAge Kansas provided verbal testimony in support of HB 2548, the no patient left alone act, which is the House version of the SB 352. The House version does include adult care homes and hospice facilities providing end of life care to comply with the provisions set forth in the bill. The reason LeadingAge Kansas is in support is due to the compromised language that upholds resident visitation rights while also allowing providers to remain in compliance with federal regulations to maintain funding and no civil causes for action being included. The House version has been worked for final action, limiting the scope of the bill further to visitation rights for those who are terminally ill or receiving end of life care. The bill now sits on the House Floor waiting for further action.
Government Affairs Team Gears Up for Budget Hearings
Next week is going to be a busy one for LeadingAge Kansas. On Monday, February 12, we’ll provide testimony in Senate Ways and Means Human Services Subcommittee on the KDADS budget recommendations at 10:30 a.m., then transition to provide testimony on the KDHE budget recommendations in House Social Services Budget at 3:30 p.m. Recommendations for the KDHE budget will occur in committee the following day, with hearings for each department switching committees Thursday, February 15. LeadingAge Kansas will be advocating for adequate Medicaid reimbursement for all our providers as well as enhanced oral health benefits. There are some members who reached out to provide additional testimony supporting our asks – thank you! You can watch hearings live or recordings on the KS Legislature YouTube page.
Bill Tracker
- HB 2784 – Transferring authority for certification of continuing care retirement communities from the Kansas insurance department to the Kansas department for aging and disability services and lowering the nursing facility provider assessment for continuing care retirement communities. Referred to House Health and Human Services.
- HB 2777 – Prohibiting an employee of the office of the state fire marshal from wearing or operating a body camera during an on-site inspection at a patient care facility. Referred to House Health and Human Services.
- SB 450 – Establishing the Kansas Alzheimer’s disease advisory council. Referred to Senate Public Health and Welfare.
- SB 445 – Establishing minimum training requirements for law enforcement and emergency medical services personnel on interacting with individuals with dementia. Referred to Senate Ways and Means.
- SB 373 – Prohibiting the use of public moneys for lobbying activities. Hearing scheduled for Monday, February 12 in Senate Federal and State Affairs.
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