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Minutes for HB2573 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Providing for study and investigation of maternal deaths by the secretary of health and environment.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 6, 2018
Chairperson Schmidt opened the hearing on HB2573.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, gave an overview of the bill and answered questions from committee members.
Ginger Breedlove spoke in support of HB2573 stating that it will enable Kansas to establish a committee to review and investigate the best possible health of all mothers and improve the well-being of families by better understanding the causes of maternal deaths in Kansas. (Attachment 7)
Melissa Hague gave proponent testimony of HB2573 by stating the legal protections provided for in HB2573 are important in order to remove legal barriers so that the medical community will be free to participate in the maternal mortality review process without fear of legal action. (Attachment 8)
Hilary McLaren testified in support of HB2573. She stated that a vote in favor of the formation of a Maternal Mortality Review Committee in Kansas would be a life-saving decision. (Attachment 9)
Valerie French, as a proponent of HB2573, stated that the Maternal Mortality Review Committee would bring together local ob-gyns, nurses, social workers, and other health care professionals to review individual maternal deaths and recommend solutions to prevent them in the future. (Attachment 10)
Robert Noland testified as a proponent of HB2573 which will open the door for an MMRC to begin working in Kansas.The legislation also provides important legal protections for committee members. (Attachment 11)
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Rachel Sisson, Director of Bureau of Family Health, Kansas Department of Health & Environment. (Attachment 12
Shannon Lucas, March of Dimes (Attachment 13) (Attachment 14)
Kelli Krause, MD and Fellow at Wyandotte County Fetal and Infant Mortality Review Board (Attachment 15)
Charles Gibbs, MD, MFA, FACOG and Legislative Chair of the Kansas Section of ACOG (Attachment 16)
The Board of Directors of the American College of Nurse Midwives (Attachment 17)
Rachelle Colombo, Director of Governmental Affairs of Kansas Medical Society (Attachment 18)
Questions were posed by committee members.
Chairperson Schmidt closed the hearing on HB2573.
