(Jan. 19, 2023) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), heard from Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Janet Stanek on agency focus areas and goals. The committee also heard from KHDE Health Director Ashley Goss and the State Medicaid Director Sarah Fertig. Fertig gave an overview of the Medicaid program, the goals for 2023, the managed care organization contract process, and the end of the public health emergency and how that re-determination process will occur in Kansas. Committee members expressed interest in working with the agency to develop more instruments to use Narcan and address decriminalizing fentanyl test strips.

Kansas Medical Society Executive Director Rachelle Colombo gave an overview of the history and membership of the group. She emphasized KMS' mission and goals, as well as shared resources about care team members and the training requirements of those team members. Scope of practice was identified as a significant issue that comes before the committee regularly.

Colombo responded to questions about the makeup of Kansas physicians. She highlighted in Kansas, more than half of physicians are in private practice, with a large majority accepting KanCare patients. Colombo also stressed that since 2006, the physician fee schedule hasn't been increased. She pointed to the state medical student loan program for underserved areas that has historically worked well in attracting physicians to underserved areas.