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Minutes for HB2688 - Committee on Appropriations
Short Title
Establishing the behavioral health task force to study the behavioral health system in the state of Kansas.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 12, 2018
Chairman Waymaster opened the hearing on the bill.
Jill Wolters, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided a briefing on the bill (Attachment 1) . The bill establishes the behavioral health task force to study the behavioral health system in the state, and administrative assistance to facilitate the organizational and meetings convened by the task force would be provided by the Kansas Department for Aging and Disability Services (KDADS). The composition, role and responsibilities of the task force followed.
Jill Wolters responded to questions from committee members. She stated that the Legislative Research Department and Office of the Revisor of Statues would provide support for meetings, of which all are approved by the Legislative Coordinating Council for expense reimbursement. The topic of study is determined as the task force or working group deems necessary or appropriate.
Representative Concannon presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 2). This bill would establish a comprehensive approach to addressing behavioral health issues. This would entail collaboration between the House, Senate, agency experts, and behavioral health stakeholders. In response to questions from committee members she stated that this task force would be for a two-year period, with legislators appropriating and assisting with the task force's identified priorities for implementation in January 2019.
Stuart Little, Behavioral Health Association (BHAK), presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 3) (Attachment 3a). He provided background information on the association, and requested that the bill be amended to add a representative of the Behavioral Health Association to the task force in order to serve that population that does not utilize the community mental health centers or safety net clinics. In response to questions from committee members, he reviewed the service areas, and stated that funding is provided by Medicaid, federal block grant money, and third-party payers.
Denise Cyzman, Kansas Association for the Medically Undeserved (KAMU), presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 4). Background information was provided. KAMU represents 23 safety net clinics and those patients receiving mental health services. The association requested consideration for the addition of a member of KAMU to serve on the task force.
Amy Campbell, Kansas Mental Health Coalition, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 5). She provided an overview of the Mental Health Coalition. The 2018 task force reviewed the mental health system and prepared a report that prioritized recommendations. The behavioral health task force would help move forward the recommendations, as well as study emerging issues. The Coalition requested consideration for representation on the task force. In response to questions from committee members, a review of the the 27 identified priorities followed.
Kyle Kesser, Association of Community Mental Health Centers, presented testimony as a proponent of the bill (Attachment 6). He presented an overview of the association, and emphasized the importance of the study and prioritization of the issues identified by the task force.
Chairman Waymaster stated that written testimony as proponents of the bill was provided by the following: Sally Hodge, American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy(Attachment 7); Steve Denny, Kansas Association of Addiction Professionals(Attachment 8); Chad Austin, Kansas Hospital Association (Attachment 9) and Brad Grinage (Attachment 10), Kansas Psychiatric Society.
Chairman Waymaster closed the hearing on the bill.
