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Minutes for SB407 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Requiring the Kansas department for aging and disability services to operate acute psychiatric inpatient beds for children in Hays and Garden City.
Minutes Content for Wed, Mar 11, 2020
Chairman Suellentrop opened the hearing on SB407.
Scott Abbott, Staff Revisor, gave an overview of the SB407. There were no questions.
Senator Rick Billinger, in his proponent testimony, stated that the second leading cause of death in people 10-34 years of age is suicide. He is concerned that the facility in Hays, Kansas provides no acute care beds within the city limits or even nearby. He stated that as proposed, SB407 will require acute care beds in both Hays or its surround area and acute care beds in Garden City or its surrounding area. (Attachment 1)
He took questions from committee members.
Kyle Kessler testified as a proponent of SB407 in support of the key provision of SB407 which will reestablish state inpatient psychiatric youth services in western Kansas. He stated that when the State decided to privatize the youth inpatient psychiatric services programs nearly ten years ago by partnering with KVC Hospitals, Inc., the model was perceived by families and providers to be extremely successful. He said he is not sure that the correct number of beds is 24 or if two separate units are necessary to serve western Kansas but it is his belief that the correct number of beds and location could be determined. He is also concerned with asking KDADS to fund this program within existing resources given the estimated costs significance of this bill. (Attachment2) (Attachment 3)
Doug Smith gave proponent testimony on behalf of John Smith stating that the western area of the State is in dire need of mental health support. He stated that the emergency rooms, hospital, and county jails are not equipped to provide necessary inpatient and outpatient mental health treatment and counseling. (Attachment 4)
Amy Carmichael presented proponent testimony stating that the Kansas Mental Health Coalition supports additional hospital beds for youth and adolescents in central and western Kansas. The shortage of hospital beds and community crisis services for families in the rural and frontier areas of Kansas creates an extremely difficult situation for parents and the emergency response systems in those communities. (Attachment 5)
Questions were asked by committee members.
Secretary Laura Howard gave neutral testimony for SB407 stating that, as written, SB407 requires KDADS to operate two facilities in western Kansas. She said the bill currently has a sense of immediacy that is unrealistic in terms of the length of time it would take to build, renovate, staff and open a fully functional hospital. Additionally, SB407 requires KDADS to use existing financial resources to operate these hospitals. She respectfully requested that KDADS be given time to pursue options for addressing the need in western Kansas. (Attachment 6) (Attachment 7) (Attachment 8)
She took questions from committee members.
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Jay Hall, Kansas Association of Counties (Attachment 9)
Leslie Bissell, SW Guidance Center Inc. (Attachment 10)
Troy Unruh, City of Garden City Mayor (Attachment 11)
Written only neutral testimony was submitted by:
Ryan Speier, KVC Hospitals (Attachment 12)
Chairman Suellentrop closed the hearing on SB407.
Chairman Suellentrop adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next scheduled meeting is March 12, 2020.
