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Minutes for HB2219 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Enacting the physician assistant licensure compact to provide interstate practice privileges for physician assistants.
Minutes Content for Thu, Feb 13, 2025
Carley Choi, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2219 (Attachment 3).
Michelle Richart, Midwest Region Liaison, Defense State Liaison Office, U.S. Dept. of Defense, provided testimony in support of HB2219 (Attachment 4). Licensure issues for both our transitioning military members and the spouses have been a priority for the Department for years. Occupational licensure compacts provide consistent rules that allow licensed members to work in other states through "privilege to practice policies", or to transfer their license more easily to a new state. As military families move from state-to-state, obtaining licenses to obtain employment is important. These compacts relieve one of the many stressors of a military move.
Lt. Col. Keith Marshall, Adjutant General's Department, U.S. Air Force, provided testimony in support of HB2219 (Attachment 5). This bill is a priority of the Department of Defense. Military spouses face significant employment challenges, with an unemployment rate consistently around 21%, which is notably higher than the national average. Nearly half of military spouses consider themselves underemployed, working in positions below their education or experience levels. Implementing interstate licensing compacts is one step we can take to remove employment and economic barriers for our military families.
William Wilk, on behalf of the Kansas Chamber, provided testimony in support of HB2219 (Attachment 6). The Kansas Chamber formed the Military and Veterans Affair Council in 2023 to provide a unified voice to support and grow our state military institutions and to build stronger relationships between the service members and employer communities. The Council brought to the Chamber's attention the need for occupational licensing compacts. Kansas is experiencing a shortage of Physician assistants. Over 60 of the 105 Kansas counties are deemed as medically underserved due to physician shortages. This compact will serve as a tool to assist Kansas in the overall shortage of physician assistants. Mr. Wilk suggested two friendly amendments so that the language remains the same as legislation passed in other states.
Mr. Wilk responded to questions from the committee.
Kerstin Stephens, Legislative Chairperson, Kansas Academy of Physician Associates, provided testimony in support of HB2219 (Attachment 7). Healthcare needs do not follow state borders and neither should the ability of healthcare providers to respond to those needs. The compact streamlines the ability for licensed PAs to work across state lines. It will also simplify the licensure process and strengthen the healthcare workforce. It is noted that this compact does not extend scope of practice. A map reflecting the states that have enacted the PA compact was provided to the committee.
The following provided written only proponent testimony:
Kevin Harper, Teladoc Health (Attachment 8)
Tara Mays, Vice President, State Legislative Affairs, Kansas Hospital Association (Attachment 9)
Kristina Abraham, Government Affairs-Kansas, Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce (Attachment 10)
The hearing was closed.
