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Minutes for SB438 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Removing prior authorization requirements for medicaid recipients receiving treatment from certain mental and behavioral healthcare providers.
Minutes Content for Thu, Mar 15, 2018
Senator Berger introduced Peyton Kalmar, Senior at Fairfield High School who is shadowing him today.
Senator Bollier introduced her shadow, Hannah Knoche, Fairfield High School and her intern, Jack Logan, a law student at University of Kansas.
Senator Estes introduced his shadow, Hunter Roberts from Fairfield High School.
Chairperson Schmidt re-opened the hearing on SB438.
Rachel Marsh submitted written only testimony in support of SB438. (Attachment 1)
Annette Grant continued her testimony in opposition of SB438 addressing patient safety issues, such as the lack of guidelines on the total number of mental health drugs that a single patient could safely be prescribed and the general health care consensus from years ago of "not monitoring/having limits, opiods are safe drugs, and patients are in pain". Today that same choice would not be made as this has led to the opioid epidemic. She stated that both safety and cost need to be addressed for patient care and the ability to afford patient care. (Attachment 2)
Dr. Greg Lakin testified in opposition of SB438. He stated that his opposition to SB438 is about parity. The Mental Health Parity Rules for Medicaid requires all similarly enrolled members to be treated equally, which includes a provision for medications as well. Not following the federal mandate puts federal prescription rebate dollars at risk. (Attachment 3) (Attachment 4)
Questions were asked by committee members.
Chairperson Schmidt closed the hearing on SB438.
