House Substitute for SB 287 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Prohibiting a healthcare provider from administering medication, diagnostic tests or conducting ongoing behavioral health treatments to a minor in a school facility without parental consent, enacting the no patient left alone act to require medical care facilities to allow in-person visitation in certain circumstances, expanding licensure of rural emergency hospitals that meet criteria between January 2015 and December 2020 and authorizing emergency medical responders to distribute non prescription over-the-counter medications.
Impact
The bill's provisions will have a considerable impact on how health care is delivered within school environments and medical facilities. By requiring parental consent for various medical actions taken by healthcare providers in schools, the bill reinforces parental authority and could lead to reduced access to timely healthcare for minors requiring immediate services. Additionally, the establishment of the 'No Patient Left Alone Act' promotes an inclusive atmosphere for patients in care facilities, mandating that patients receive in-person support during critical healthcare situations unless expressly declined. This aspect of the bill is particularly relevant in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, addressing previous restrictions on visitation that negatively affected patient well-being.
Summary
Senate Bill 287 introduces several important changes to health care regulations in Kansas, particularly focusing on protections for minors in school settings and advocating for patient rights in medical facilities. The bill prohibits healthcare providers from administering any medications or conducting diagnostic tests on minors in school facilities without obtaining explicit parental consent. This change aims to ensure that parents are involved in their children's health decisions, particularly regarding sensitive issues like behavioral health treatment. It reflects a growing sentiment for enhancing parental control over medical processes affecting minors, amidst concerns over children's privacy and autonomy in healthcare decisions.
Sentiment
The sentiment surrounding SB287 appears mixed. Proponents argue that the bill strengthens parental rights and provides essential protections for minors, ensuring that families are involved in all significant health-related decisions. Patient advocates emphasize the importance of emotional support in healthcare settings, particularly for patients in vulnerable situations. Conversely, critics express concern that the new regulations could hinder timely access to care for minors and potentially lead to negative health outcomes by delaying necessary treatments. The increased oversight may also place additional burdens on healthcare providers operating in school settings, impacting their ability to respond swiftly to medical emergencies.
Contention
A notable point of contention in discussions about SB287 is the balance between parental control and too strict a framework that could impede healthcare providers from acting in the best interest of minors without unnecessary red tape. Furthermore, while the 'No Patient Left Alone Act' aims to enhance support systems, some stakeholders worry about the feasibility and safety of enacting visitation rights across various medical facilities, especially in contexts where patient safety protocols must remain paramount. There are concerns about how these conflicting interests will be managed in practice, particularly regarding the complex healthcare needs of children and the aging population.
Substitute for SB 219 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Expanding eligibility for rural emergency hospital licensure to facilities that meet criteria between 2015 and 2020.
Enacting the no patient left alone act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care home and patient care facilities.
Enacting the no patient left alone act to require facilities to allow in-person visitation to certain patients at hospitals, adult care homes and hospice facilities.
House Substitute for SB 233 by Committee on Health and Human Services - Enacting the forbidding abuse child transitions act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare providers from treating children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments, requiring professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment, prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children and adding violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians and nurses.
Providing that certain mental health medications be available without prior authorization to treat medicaid recipients and abolishing the mental health medication advisory committee.
Enacting the patient right to visitation act to require patient care facilities to adopt visitation rules to allow certain relatives and other persons, including clergy, to visit terminally ill patients and other patients making major medical decisions.
Enacting the help not harm act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare providers from providing gender transition care to children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments, requiring professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment, prohibiting professional liability insurance from covering damages for healthcare providers that provide gender transition treatment to children and adding violation of the act to the definition of unprofessional conduct for physicians.
Sub for SB 193 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonists pursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.
Exempting law enforcement agencies who do not provide emergency opioid antagonistspursuant to the statewide protocol from the requirement to procure a physician medical director.
House Substitute for HB 2390 by Committee on Public Health and Welfare - Requiring the secretary of health and environment to study drug overdose death cases and providing for the confidentiality of acquired and related records, restricting the authority of the secretary of health and environment and local health officers to prevent the introduction and spread of infectious or contagious diseases and repealing the authority of the secretary to quarantine individuals and impose associated penalties.