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Minutes for SB110 - Committee on Insurance
Short Title
Authorizing the board of regents to provide supplemental health insurance coverage for certain state employees.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 14, 2017
Chairperson Vickrey opened the hearing on SB 110
Jason Thompson, Senior Assistant Revisor, briefed the members. He said the bill authorized the Board of Regents to provide supplemental health insurance for certain state employees. (Attachment 3)
Dr. Douglas A. Girod testified in support of the bill. He said the State of Kansas recently increased its health insurance deductible, per employee, to $1,000. The U.S. State Department required that all J-visa holders have employer sponsored health insurance with a deductible of no more than $500. The bill authorized the Kansas Board of Regent institutions to purchase additional insurance in order to comply with federal law. He added there were 215 high skilled J-visa holders among the regent institutions. (Attachment 4)
Representative Hawkins asked how long the visa holders were normally employed.
Dr. Girod answered 1-2 years, usually, but some had been employed for up to 5 years.
Representative Hawkins asked if the policy essentially covered the gap between the $500 and $1000 deductible.
Dr. Girod confirmed it did.
Dr. Blake Flanders testified in support of the bill. He said the bill impacted the state's research universities and the change kept them competitive. (Attachment 5)
Clark Shultz testified in support of the bill. He said the bill was the best solution.(Attachment 6)
Amanda McDiffett provided written testimony in support of the bill. (Attachment 7)
Chairperson Vickrey asked if there were any opponents. There were none. He asked if the members had additional questions. There were none.
Chairperson Vickrey closed the hearing on SB 110.
