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Minutes for HB2049 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Changing the length of the nurse aide course required for unlicensed employees in adult care homes to 75 hours.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 8, 2023
Dan Goodman, Executive Director, Kansas Advocates for Better Care (KABC), provided testimony in opposition to HB2049 (Attachment 6). The KABC has been an advocate for quality long term support and services for older adults since 1975. Mr. Goodman provided of the CNA training history in Kansas. The concern is that the bill does not reference federal law, but instead prohibits the licensing agency from adopting guidelines that require more than 75 hours of CNA course instruction. If federal requirements increase, Kansas training requirements are out of compliance. An overview of the Kansas requirements broken down into its two components was presented to the committee. Mr. Goodman stated that our attention should be focused on the recommendations of the Senior Care Task Force, in the workforce subgroup.
Addison Stover, Private Citizen, provided testimony in opposition to HB2049 (Attachment 7). Ms. Stover provided her personal history of becoming a CNA through training at Johnson County Community College. Her training totaled 96 hours. There is concern as to what the quality of care would be with fewer hours. Ms. Stover wondered what information would be cut from the program, and the skills that would not be learned. This will result in a decrease in the quality of care our loved ones are receiving. Ms. Stover recommended broadening high school CNA programs.
Ms. Stover responded to questions from the committee.
Glenda DuBoise, AARP Kansas State Director, provided testimony in opposition to HB2049 (Attachment 8). Research has shown that providing better initial and on-going training improves direct care staff satisfaction and retention. The reduction in hours places Kansas seniors and people with disabilities at risk. The issue of workforce shortage is due in part to low compensation, lack of adequate training and limited opportunities for job growth. Addressing these issues should be an integral part of policy initiatives. Kansas should also encourage education and training programs to require gerontology courses and practical experience for all appropriate health professionals.
The following provided written only testimony:
Camille Russell, Kansas State Long-term Care Ombudsman (Attachment 9)
Jennifer Terrien, Director of Clinical Education, Kansas College of Nursing (Attachment 10)
Dustin Baker, Clinical Instructor, MidAmerica Nazarene University, School of Nursing (Attachment 11)
Leslie Anderson, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Area Agencies on Aging and Disabilities (Attachment 12)
