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Minutes for SB195 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Creating a suspended eligibility status for recipients of state medicaid services.
Minutes Content for Tue, Jan 23, 2018
Chairperson Schmidt opened the hearing on SB195.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, gave an overview of the bill and answered questions from Committee members.
Rick Cagan testified in support of SB195. He stated that the passage of SB195 would allow suspension of Medicaid coverage rather than terminating Medicaid coverage when someone is incarcerated. (Attachment 1)
Colin Thomasset gave oral proponent testimony on behalf of Kyle Kessler stating that continuity of care for individuals suffering from mental illness is an extremely important issue and nowhere is this issue more prevalent than with justice-involved individuals. (Attachment 2)
Oral proponent testimony was then presented by Stuart Little. He expressed full support for SB195 stating that many of the people who are in and out of the criminal justice system have substance use disorder and need to have quick and seamless treatment. By suspending, rather than terminating their Medicaid coverage, treatment is quicker and seamless. (Attachment 3)
Jeff Easter testified in support of SB195. He stated that maintaining a continuum of care between mental health, addiction, and medical services delivered in jail and those available in the community upon release could prevent re-offending and a return to county jails.(Attachment 4)
Amy Campbell gave oral proponent testimony of SB195. She supports implementing a "suspended benefits status" for those incarcerated or hospitalized rather than terminating benefits. She believes this would enable the reinstatement of benefits upon discharge and timely referral to services for the transition into the community.(Attachment 5)
Mike Burgess. testified in support of SB195 stating that any efforts that can speed up the process of accessing health care for those who have been hospitalized or incarcerated is better than having to reapply for Medicaid coverage. (Attachment 6)
Questions were posed by committee members.
Written proponent testimony was submitted by:
Sheldon Weisgrau, Health Reform Resource Project (Attachment 7) and Chad Austin, Kansas Hospital Association (Attachment 8)
The hearing on SB195 was then closed.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:03 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is January 24, 2018.
