(Jan. 23, 2023) – Today, the House Health and Human Services Committee met, chaired by Representative Brenda Landwehr (R-Wichita), heard from former Senator Randall Hardy who now represents the Kansas Silver-Haired Legislature. The priority areas identified by KSHL included:
- Expansion of Medicaid
- Increased funding for wireless broadband
- Telemedicine expansion
- Legalization of cannabis
- Access to in-home care for seniors
- Sales tax exemptions for area agencies on aging
Chrissy Mayer, Developing Caring Communities Committed to Action, Inc., spoke about substance abuse treatment in Kansas. She highlighted services and chapters throughout the state. The committee heard about Naloxone, Fentanyl Awareness, and the continuum of care for those with addictions.
The committee also heard from the Community Care Network of Kansas. Sonja Bachus, executive director, gave the committee an overview of the association membership, the unique characteristics of federally qualified health centers, as well as the current challenges: workforce, threats to the 340B Drug Pricing Program, capital needs and federal funding reauthorization.
House Health and Human Services Vice Chairman John Eplee (R-Atchison) introduced a bill that would require visitation at hospitals and in long-term care settings. The committee is slated to meet on Tuesday, Jan. 24, to hear from the Kansas Academy of Family Physicians and Kansas Association of Osteopathic Medicine.