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Minutes for HB2259 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Permitting the use of expedited partner therapy to treat a sexually transmitted disease.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 22, 2021
Phil Griffin, Director, Bureau of Disease Control and Prevention, Kansas Department of Health and Environment, provided testimony in support of HB2259 and the use of expedited partner therapy (EPT) for the treatment of sexually transmitted infections. Prior to Covid-19 the most common reportable infection each year in Kansas has the been the sexually transmitted infection, chlamydia. Over 15,000 cases were reported in 2019. Left untreated, chlamydia can result in infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease and possibly sepsis. 70% of cases are reported in woman, primarily due to preventive health services. Men traditionally exhibit symptoms and are not normally screened. EPT allows partners of infected individuals to more easily obtain preventive treatment. EPT is supported at the national level and is currently supported in 45 states. The medications to treat chlamydia are safe oral antibiotics with very few side effects. From an economic standpoint, the CDC estimates the average lifetime cost of an infected male is $46, woman it is $246. Using these estimates, chlamydia infections burden Kansas healthcare system with an estimated total of $3,000,000 in 2019. EPT is a proven medical practice. The treatments are safe and cost effective (Attachment 3).
Mr. Griffin responded to questions from the committee:
The following provided written only testimony:
Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society (Attachment 4)
Dennis Kriesel, Director, Kansas Association of Local Health Departments (Attachment 5)
Brandon Skidmore, President, Kansas Public Health Association (Attachment 6)
Vicki Whitaker, Executive Director. Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine (Attachment 7)
Aaron Dunkel, Executive Director, Kansas Pharmacists Association (Attachment 8)
Dr. Donna Sweet (Attachment 9)
Dr. Kimberly Swan, Legislative Chair, American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (Attachment 10)
The hearing on HB2259 was closed.
