Welcome to Kansas Medical Society
December 22, 2024 Newsletter
As 2024 comes to a close and with it the results of the recent national and statewide elections, healthcare issues will most likely continue to be front and center, both nationally and here in Kansas. While the new Congress remains closely divided, the general election once again yielded Republican supermajorities in both the Kansas House of Representatives and Senate. The House bolstered their number, growing from 85 to 88 Republicans, while the Senate gained two new seats bringing the total number of Republican Senators to 31 out of 40 total members.
Maintaining a supermajority was a critical goal of Republican leadership, giving them the ability to potentially override any veto issued by Democrat Governor Laura Kelly. Legislators are already at work drafting legislation to introduce when the 2025 session begins on January 13. Bills from the previous year do not carry forward on election years, but rather, expire every two years. Even so, we expect to see many of the same issues resurface in hopes of finding newfound support. Among those are the bills expanding the scope of practice for advanced practice nurses and other providers.
Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) are planning to renew their push to allow them to practice without any restrictions on their scope of practice. They argue that CRNAs are the only advanced practice registered nurses that weren’t included in the changes enacted in 2022 which allowed other APRNs to prescribe without a written protocol with a physician. While that sentiment may be understandable, their bid for statutory expansion of practice privileges actually goes much further and would even allow for the performance by CRNAs of surgery and other invasive procedures. It appears that since the passage of the APRNs bill allowing for prescribing, along with a confusing (and incorrect) interpretation by the Board of Nursing and other nursing advocacy groups about its application, some argue that APRNs do not have any limitations on their scope of practice. This interpretation defies a plain reading of the law, which does not provide such authority and is in violation of the Healing Arts and Nurse Practice Acts.
Optometrists are also seeking an expanded scope and intend to introduce legislation that mirrors their prior effort, which would allow for multiple procedures that overlap into the practice of medicine. KMS will continue its opposition to these practice expansions by both the CRNAs and optometrists.
Outside of scope issues, we also expect some controversial ideological issues to re-emerge as they do each year, but even more so after the recent election results. In particular, the debate over gender-affirming healthcare for minors is almost certainly going to receive legislative attention again.
The KMS Legislative Committee is comprised of physicians from many specialties and geographic areas of the state, and it meets bi-weekly to review and advise our Board of Trustees on all legislation impacting the practice of medicine, patient access, reimbursement and the legal climate.
There is no doubt that the session will be busy by the time KMS Advocacy Day occurs on January 29th. We expect to hear from leaders from both the House and Senate, including newly elected Senate Majority Leader Chase Blasi, returning House Speaker Dan Hawkins, the health committee vice chairs and members of the “Doc Caucus” and a panel of physicians serving on the KMS Legislative Committee. If you haven’t already, please register to join us today.
Advocacy Day also gives us the opportunity to hear directly from you about issues directly affecting your practice. We have invited all state specialty societies to participate, identify their advocacy objectives, and work with a collective voice under the dome to ensure the practice of medicine remains in physicians’ hands. There are many issues affecting medical practice and we serve as your advocate at the Statehouse. We will continue to push for increases in Medicaid reimbursement, prior authorization reform, improved access to physician-led care, reforms that improve the legal climate, and incentives that encourage newly-trained physicians to establish their practices in the rural and other underserved areas of our state.
Your KMS staff has grown to include a few new faces while maintaining the long-term service of several dedicated employees, in some cases extending over decades. To a person, both new and long-tenured, we consider it a privilege to work as advocates for each of you and your patients. Thank you for your engagement in promoting and protecting your profession to ensure that Kansans receive the very best care. As a (sometimes reluctant) patient myself, I can attest to the excellence and warmth delivered by your hands.
As always, do not hesitate to reach out if you have questions or concerns about legislation or any other matters. It’s my pleasure and privilege to work on your behalf. Wishing you the best in 2025, with hope and optimism for what lies ahead.
It's time to renew your KMS membership for 2025! Kansas physicians are uniquely positioned to serve as both a patient advocate and an advocate for the profession. Your membership enables the Kansas Medical Society to:
- Continue focusing on our mission of advocacy for physicians of all specialties statewide.
- Ensure the physician's voice is well-represented in the legislative & regulatory arenas.
- Improve the practice environment in our state.
- Keep you informed as a member of the state's largest physician association.
Your continued membership is critical to the success of the Kansas Medical Society and the future of the profession. We will continue to focus on our mission and provide unparalleled support to each of you.
We appreciate your consideration in supporting KMS through your renewed membership. Click HERE to pay your dues TODAY!
Elections are open for 2025-2026 KMS Offices. Scan the QR code below to vote online before January 23, 2025.
Registration is OPEN for KMS Advocacy Day on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas!
Kansas Medical Society’s Advocacy Day offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with your legislative leaders. You will join physicians from across the state, regardless of specialty to ask the hard questions that impact the house of medicine. Please plan to meet with your specialty society, KMS leadership & your peers to inform lawmakers, guide decision-making, and generate support for policies on critical issues that impact physicians, patients, and the healthcare environment for our great state of Kansas. Whether you view advocacy as a responsibility or an option, your community participation, leadership, and collective voices are essential to the House of Medicine’s continued leadership in health care.
November 2, 2024 Newsletter
It's time to renew your KMS membership for 2025! Kansas physicians are uniquely positioned to serve as both a patient advocate and an advocate for the profession. Your membership enables the Kansas Medical Society to:
- Continue focusing on our mission of advocacy for physicians of all specialties statewide.
- Ensure the physician's voice is well-represented in the legislative & regulatory arenas.
- Improve the practice environment in our state.
- Keep you informed as a member of the state's largest physician association.
Your continued membership is critical to the success of the Kansas Medical Society and the future of the profession. We will continue to focus on our mission and provide unparalleled support to each of you.
We appreciate your consideration in supporting KMS through your renewed membership. Click HERE to pay your dues TODAY!
Elections are open for 2025-2026 KMS Offices. Scan the QR code below to vote online before January 23, 2025.
Registration is OPEN for KMS Advocacy Day on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, in Topeka, Kansas!
Kansas Medical Society’s Advocacy Day offers a unique opportunity to connect directly with your legislative leaders. You will join physicians from across the state, regardless of specialty to ask the hard questions that impact the house of medicine. Please plan to meet with your specialty society, KMS leadership & your peers to inform lawmakers, guide decision-making, and generate support for policies on critical issues that impact physicians, patients, and the healthcare environment for our great state of Kansas. Whether you view advocacy as a responsibility or an option, your community participation, leadership, and collective voices are essential to the House of Medicine’s continued leadership in health care.
On Tuesday, November 5, 2024, is the general election for several local, state, and federal elections. Whether it’s deciding on community initiatives, choosing representatives, or shaping policies, participating in elections is one of the most powerful ways to impact the your future of the House of Medicine and our community. Find your sample ballot at https://myvoteinfo.voteks.org/VoterView.
June 23, 2024 Newsletter
2024 Special Session Comes and Goes
The Kansas legislature completed a brief Special Session this week after Governor Kelly called lawmakers back to pass a tax reform bill that she would sign. After issuing a handful of vetoes on previously passed tax plans, news broke last week that legislative leaders and the administration brokered a deal on tax relief. Over the course of two days, a joint House and Senate tax committee held an information hearing on the proposal and the legislature quickly debated and passed the bill. With the state sitting on a record $3.5 billion in reserves, the bill awaiting Kelly's signature provides an initial $470 million tax cut with about $380 million annually in cuts starting in FY2026. The major elements of this bill include: 1) moving from 3 rates to 2 tax tiers (5.2% and 5.58%); 2) slight increases in the standard deduction amounts; 3) increase in the personal exemptions; 4) full elimination of income taxes on Social Security income; 5) an increase in the residential property tax exemption; and 6) a 50% child care tax credit.
While the Governor called the Special Session solely for the purpose of passing a tax relief bill, the legislature did use the opportunity to update state STAR (Sales Tax and Revenue) Bond statutes. The proposal, which passed with supermajorities, allows for the Department of Commerce to offer a new class of STAR Bonds for professional sports stadiums that could lure the Kansas City Chiefs and/or Royals to the Sunflower State.
The legislature adjourned until Monday, January 13 for the 2025 regular legislative session. However, legislative leaders will soon assign special committees to study various topics throughout the summer and fall "interim" session. These interim committees typically approve non-binding recommendations for the full legislature to consider when they return for the regular session next January. More to follow on the interim committees as information becomes available.
Medicaid Fee Schedule Increase
A final note about the Medicaid fee schedule increase proposed by KMS and approved by the legislature this spring. KDHE is in the process of filing the necessary documents with CMS, which must approve the fee schedule increase. As of now, it appears that the process should be completed in time for the 9% increase to take effect for dates of services provided on and after August 1.
Looking Ahead to Election
All 165 legislative seats are up for election this year. Republican leaders hope they can retain or grow their supermajorities in the House and Senate. Of course, Democrats will be working hard to erode the veto-proof GOP majorities. After the early June filing deadline, a picture of the slate of candidates took shape. Here is a snapshot of the field as we head into the Primary Election on August 6:
- 18 House and 11 Senate incumbents did not seek reelection.
- 9 State Representatives filed to seek election to the Senate, while 1 Senator filed for a House seat.
- 43 House (27 Rs/16 Ds) and 5 Senate (3 Rs/2 Ds) candidates have neither a Primary nor a General Election opponent.
- Democrats fielded candidates in 92 of 125 House races and 34 of 40 Senate seats.
- 9 House races and 4 Senate races are Primary contests only.
Join KaMPAC Today!
The Kansas Medical Society Political Action Committee (KaMPAC) is guided by an independent, non-partisan board of physicians from across the state. They evaluate each candidate and race and seek to support candidates willing to listen to physicians' concerns when policy-making. KaMPAC does not give to statewide races or to political parties. The legislature has the most significant impact on the practice of medicine in Kansas and as such, we engage in direct campaign contributions to legislative candidates. KaMPAC's goal is to help elect fair-minded candidates who put responsible public policy above politics. If you haven't already, please join KaMPAC today, and help us make an impact on the elections this fall.
May 5, 2024 Newsletter
2024 Session Ends
The Kansas legislature completed a brief “veto session” and formally adjourned the 2024 regular session early on May 1st, meaning the full legislature won’t return until next January unless a special session is called by the Governor. Before adjourning, the Legislature considered several vetoes and successfully overrode Governor Kelly’s vetoes on many, including on budget line items. Notably, though, the legislature was again unable to muster enough votes to override the Governor’s veto of another major tax reform bill. In response, the legislature kicked out a tax plan similar to one Kelly vetoed. She has pledged to veto this most recent (and bipartisan) bill and call a special session. However, because the legislature already formally adjourned the 2024 regular session, legislators will not have an opportunity to override any more vetoes, including this last tax bill. Enacting a tax reform bill during a special session would require the introduction of an entirely new bill, as all legislation in a special session must start from scratch.
April 8, 2024 KMS Newsletter
Legislature Passes Budget, Tax Relief; Regular Session Adjourns
Since the wrap-up of committee work two weeks ago, the legislature has resolved most of its top priorities. House and Senate negotiators passed a budget that includes an across the board increase of 9% in the Medicaid physician fee schedule. This increase is on top of the 3% increase approved by the legislature last year. KMS has urged lawmakers to start on a path of comprehensively revising the fee schedule, which until the past two years had not been updated for well over a decade. The legislature’s support for the increases has been encouraging but must continue in future years to maintain an adequate network of Medicaid providers.
March 10, 2024 Newsletter
Legislative Update
Legislative committees have just two weeks left to consider bills before the House and Senate will begin working towards first adjournment by the month’s end. The remaining notable healthcare bills that KMS is monitoring are listed below.
SB 352, the so-called “patients’ bill of rights” established extensive visitation policies and rights for patients receiving hospital care. The bill also tied a cause of action to each enumerated right and established a $25,000 penalty for a facility’s failure to comply. The bill advanced narrowly from the Senate and was heard in the House Health and Human Services committee. The House committee deleted the contents of the SB 352 and replaced them with HB 2548, which also relates to visitation policies, but does not include a new cause of action or financial penalties.
