Kansas 2023-2024 Regular Session

Kansas Senate Bill SB354

Introduced
1/17/24  
Refer
1/18/24  

Caption

Designating facilities where elective abortions are performed as being ineligible to purchase professional liability insurance from the healthcare stabilization fund.

Impact

If enacted, SB354 could have widespread implications for reproductive healthcare services within Kansas. The bill effectively removes a layer of support for facilities providing elective abortions by cutting off their access to a crucial source of professional liability coverage. Opponents of the bill argue that this could lead to increased operational costs for these facilities, potentially driving up prices for patients or forcing some providers to halt their services altogether. If fewer providers are willing to offer elective abortion services due to financial pressures, access to these healthcare options would become limited, particularly affecting vulnerable populations who rely on such services.

Summary

Senate Bill 354 proposes significant changes to the professional liability insurance landscape for healthcare providers in Kansas, specifically targeting facilities where elective abortions are performed. Under the provisions of the bill, these facilities will be deemed ineligible to access professional liability insurance from the healthcare stabilization fund, meaning they will need to seek alternative sources for coverage. This requirement aims to ensure that facilities conducting elective abortions maintain continuous professional liability insurance equivalent to that offered by the healthcare stabilization fund, a license condition that adds further financial responsibility on these entities.

Contention

The bill has sparked a heated debate in the legislature and among the public. Supporters of SB354 contend that it places necessary restrictions on facilities performing elective abortions, citing concerns over accountability and patient safety. They argue that it is essential that such facilities should be held to rigorous standards and oversight regarding professional liability. On the other hand, critics view the bill as an attempt to undermine women's reproductive rights and an act of politicizing healthcare—a tactic that may have unintended consequences on the availability of essential services for women in Kansas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

KS HB2325

Amending the definition of "healthcare provider" for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act to include maternity centers and not include facilities where elective abortions are performed.

KS HB2478

Adding "maternity center" to the definition of "healthcare provider" for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act.

KS SB41

Adding advanced practice registered nurses to the definition of healthcare provider for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act.

KS HB2791

Enacting the forbidding abuse child transitions act, restricting use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibiting healthcare professionals from treating children whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorizing a civil cause of action against healthcare professionals for providing such treatments, authorizing professional discipline against a physician 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.

KS HB2039

Adding maternity center to the definition of healthcare provider for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act, amending definitions in the Kansas credentialing act to provide that certain entities providing physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech-language pathology are not home health agencies, clarifying that the authorized activities of paramedics, advanced emergency medical technicians, emergency medical technicians and emergency medical responders may be authorized upon the order of a healthcare professional, permitting certain ambulance services to offer service for less than 24 hours per day, every day of the year, and requiring entities that control automated external defibrillators to register the device with the emergency medical services board.

KS SB233

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.

KS HB2071

Enacting the help not harm act to restrict the use of state funds to promote gender transitioning, prohibit healthcare providers from providing gender transition whose gender identity is inconsistent with the child's sex, authorize a civil cause of action against healthcare providers for providing such treatments, require professional discipline against a healthcare provider who performs such treatment and prohibit 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.

KS SB63

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.

KS SB219

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.

KS HB2335

Providing for the hunter nation distinctive license plate.

Similar Bills

LA SB29

Prohibits discrimination against healthcare professionals and provides for protection of healthcare professional credentials. (8/1/22)

SC S0346

Assault and battery

LA SB136

Provides relative to protections for emergency room personnel, emergency services personnel, and healthcare professionals. (8/1/22)

LA HB849

Provides relative to healthcare outcomes for patient's suffering with behavioral health issues

NJ A3894

Establishes Loan Redemption Program for Healthcare Professionals in Underserved Counties within Higher Education Student Assistance Authority.

LA HB530

Provides for coverage of healthcare services provided through telehealth or telemedicine (RE1 SEE FISC NOTE SG EX)

KS HB2325

Amending the definition of "healthcare provider" for purposes of the healthcare provider insurance availability act to include maternity centers and not include facilities where elective abortions are performed.

KS SB219

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.