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Minutes for SB144 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Allowing the use of expedited partner therapy to treat a sexually transmitted disease.
Minutes Content for Tue, Feb 19, 2019
Chairperson Suellentrop opened the hearing on SB144. Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor gave an overview of SB144.
Dr. Kimberly Swan presented proponent testimony. She stated that as a practicing physician she frequently has to retest and occasionally retreat her patients due to reinfection from a partner that has not sought medical care. She said that if SB144 were adopted that Kansas would be the 44th state to allow for expedited partner therapy (EPT). The passage of this bill would align medical treatment with nationally recognized standards and provide the best medical care possible for all Kansans. (Attachment 3)
Jennifer VandeVelde testified that KDHE strongly supports SB144 and the use of EPT for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. The most common reportable infection each year in Kansas is the sexually transmitted infection chlamydia. Left untreated, chlamydia can result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, and in some cases, even death. EPT is common sense public health and can prevent STD-related infertility and other long-term consequences. (Attachment 4)
Aaron Dunkel, in his proponent testimony, stated that the passage of SB144 would authorize healthcare providers to prescribe drugs to a patient's sexual partner, without examination, if the patient has been diagnosed with a sexually transmitted disease. The bill would also create a liability waiver for prescribers and pharmacists, so long as prescribing and dispensing is done in good faith and follows state law. (Attachment 5)
They took questions from committee members.
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Vicki Whitaker, Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine (Attachment 6)
Rachel Sweet, Planned Parenthood (Attachment 7)
Dr. Caitlin Linscheid, Ob/Gyn (Attachment 8)
Dr. Selena Sandoval, Ob/Gyn (Attachment 9)
Rachelle Colombo, Kansas Medical Society (Attachment 10)
There was no opponent or neutral testimony submitted.
Chairperson Suellentrop closed the hearing on SB144.
Chairperson Suellentrop adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is February 20, 2019.
