(Jan. 30, 2023) – Today, the Senate Public Health and Welfare Committee, chaired by Senator Beverly Gossage (R-Eudora), heard from The University of Kansas Cancer Center. The House Health and Human Services committee heard a mirror presentation.

The committees heard from:

• Fred Logan, chair, Masonic Cancer Alliance Partners Advisory Board,
• Dr. Roy Jensen, vice chancellor and director,The University of Kansas Cancer Center
• Dr. Andrew Godwin

Dr. Jenson shared how the $5 million allocation previously made by the state legislature has helped to develop the work being done at the University of Kansas Cancer Center. Conferees highlighted how the cancer center helps Kansans and those seeking treatments outside the state. Committee members asked how improvements could be made. Conferees emphasized the need for Medicaid expansion as a way to increase the ability to serve more Kansans. Committee members in the Senate requested an update on HPV vaccination statistics in Kansas. Dr. Jensen highlighted Kansas had some of the lowest HPV vaccination rates and now is above average in HPV vaccination rates, which has lowered cervical cancer rates by 65 percent. Dr. Jensen highlighted how the National Cancer Institute's comprehensive status has helped in recruitment efforts on the workforce front.

The Senate committee also saw bill introductions including:

• Client information consent with social service organizations by Senator Erickson
• Prior authorization processes by Kansas Hospital Association

The House committee also saw bill introductions including:

• Defining non-covered services for dental benefits on behalf of the Kansas Dental Association
• Authorizing pharmacy technicians to administer vaccinations on behalf of the Kansas Pharmacist Association
• Patient right to visitation, on behalf of Rep. Resman (R-Olathe) and Rep. Eplee (R-Atchison)
• Relating to KDADS and staffing agency regulations, on behalf of Leading Age Kansas
• Council compact to provide inter-state privileges, on behalf of professional counselors

The House Committee on Health and Human Services also heard from David Fye, executive director, Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. Fye gave an overview of the agency's mission, structure and staffing. He updated the committee on who serves on the board and on advisory committees. Currently, 14,779 individuals are licensed through the Kansas Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board. The following is a breakdown of those licensed:

Licensed psychologists – 999
Licensed associate social worker – 4
Licensed behavioral social worker – 1,295
licensed master social worker – 4,023
Licensed professional counselor – 1,012
Licensed behavioral analyst  – 21
Licensed master-level psychologist -315
Licensed clinical psychologist – 276
Licensed marriage and family therapist – 319
Licensed associate counselor – 530
Licensed master addiction counselor – 421
Licensed certified addiction counselor  -568
Licensed behavioral analyst – 363

In 2022, the Behavioral Sciences Regulatory Board issued: 1,536 permanent licenses, 328 temporary licenses, 97 out-of-state temporary permits, four provisional licenses. Of the 1,536 licenses issued last year: 1,112 were initial licenses and 424 were for reciprocity for many providers using treatment settings such as telehealth in Kansas but practicing from other states. Also the renewals referenced in 2022 were 6,214 renewals.

The agency highlighted complaints in 2022 were 205, up from the previous fiscal year's numbers. Fye highlighted the investigate process the agency uses. He also emphasized outreach efforts by the agency highlighting that 18 presentations were made by the agency in 2022.