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Minutes for HB2674 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Establishing the Kansas telemedicine act.
Minutes Content for Mon, Mar 19, 2018
Chairperson Schmidt opened the hearing on HB2674.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, gave an overview of HB2674 and answered questions from committee members.
Chairperson Schmidt advised all those who will be offering testimony would be limited to three minutes each due to number of conferees.
Rachelle Colombo offered supporting testimony of HB2674 stating that it provides a framework that is consistent with laws governing the practice of medicine and reimbursement for such services. The bill balances the advantages of increasing utilization of telemedicine with the importance of maintaining access to in-person care throughout the state. (Attachment 1)
Chad Austin testified in support of HB2674. He stated that telemedicine is an important tool in providing access to needed health care services. It is the belief of the members of the Kansas Hospital Association that through the advancement of this technology and its utilization, Kansans will experience high quality, accessible care regardless of residing in a rural or urban locality. (Attachment 2)
Sunee Mickle testified as a proponent of HB2674 stating that it will create a new mechanism for thousands of Kansans to receive medical care and will also reduce the length of time it may take for some Kansans to receive mental health care services. (Attachment 3)
Larrie Ann Brown offered testimony in support of HB2674 stating that it provides clarity about prescribing via telemedicine and clearly defines how the physician-patient relationship is established when telemedicine services are used. (Attachment 4)
Colin Thomasset, in his proponent testimony, testified that HB2674 will provide coverage parity for telemedicine services. It will improve access to treatment, reduce consumer and organization costs, and provide quality services that will better manage mental health needs in patient's home and community settings. (Attachment 5)
Dr. Elisha Yaghma testified in support of HB2674, stating that Kansas is one of the most rural states in the nation. Telemedicine is critical to supply high quality, affordable, reliably-accessible healthcare to rural citizens. HB2674 is a legislative step in improving access to medical care to rural Kansans. (Attachment 6)
Merilyn Douglass offered supportive testimony for HB2674 which, if passed, would provide coverage parity for telehealth services. Telehealth nursing includes such services as patient care, home monitoring, patient education and training. (Attachment 7)
Rachel Marsh testified in support of HB2674 stating that using telemedicine is an enhanced service for inpatient family therapy that increases frequency of contact between child and caregivers as well as when travel barriers exist.The passage of HB2674 would allow Saint Francis Community Services to continue to grow its telemedicine services resulting in increased service options for Kansas families. (Attachment 8)
Written proponent testimony was submitted by:
Chad Johanning, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (Attachment 9)
Stuart Little, Behavioral Health Association of Kansas (Attachment 10)
Bruce Witt, Kansas Metro Business and Healthcare Coalition (Attachment 11)
Dr. Bob Moser, Kansas Care Collaborative, University of Kansas Health System (Attachment 12)
Judy Davis-Cole, American Association of Retired Persons (Attachment 13)
Rachel Sweet testified in opposition to HB2674 as it was amended by the House Health and Human Services Committee due to Section 6, which states that "Nothing in the Kansas telemedicine act shall be construed to authorize the delivery of any abortion procedure via telemedicine" and Section 7, which renders Section 6 of the bill non-severable. (Attachment 14)
Robert Eye, Trust Women Inc. submitted written testimony in opposition of HB2674. (Attachment 15)
Travis Oller testified with a neutral position on HB2674 stating that Doctors of Chiropractic in Kansas ask that the bill be amended to allow "healthcare providers, licensed by the Board of Healing Arts" be added which would allow Doctors of Chiropractic to be included in the telemedicine act. (Attachment 16)
Susie Ternes offered neutral testimony stating that passing HB2674 is a step in the right direction for the future of the provision of health care, but urged the committee to add Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists to the definition of "healthcare provider". (Attachment 17)
Jeanne Gawdun testified with a neutral position. She stated that the provisions in New Sections 6 and 7 of the telemedicine bill must remain intact, otherwise, HB2674 will create a right to medication abortions by telemedicine that violates existing law. (Attachment 18)
Neutral written testimony was submitted by:
Susie Harms, Kansas Physical Therapy Association (Attachment 19)
Dr. Daphne Bascom, Kansas State Alliance of YMCAs (Attachment 20)
Todd Fleisher, Kansas Optometric Association (Attachment 21)
Kevin Robertson, Kansas Dental Association (Attachment 22)
Senator Estes introduced three pages from Minneola - Eli, Abigayl and Lenna Conard.
Questions about HB2674 were then asked by Committee members.
Chairperson Schmidt closed the hearing on HB2674 and adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next scheduled meeting will be March 20, 2018 at 9:30 a.m.
