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Minutes for HB2260 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Increasing the number of medical student loan agreements that may be provided by the university of Kansas school of medicine and prohibiting impediments to switching between residency programs.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 6, 2023
Scott Abbott, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of HB2260.
Mr. Abbott responded to questions from the committee.
Kyle Kessler, Executive Director, Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, provided testimony in support of HB2260 (Attachment 8). The bill would amend the Medical School Loan Program in two ways. It would increase the number of residency spots available and allow students to switch their specialty to psychiatry. The bill assists in recruiting and retaining psychiatrists. This would be helpful in rural areas of the state in regards to CMHCs and the State Mental Health Hospitals. Of the 300 psychiatrists physically located in the state, 95% live in either northeast Kansas or south central Kansas. This is a real problem for rural and frontier areas of the state. Mr. Kessler referenced a quote that stated that the recruitment rate into psychiatry has been flat for a couple of decades while the demand has grown.
Dr. Will Warnes, Medical Director,Association of Community Mental Health Centers of Kansas, provided testimony in support of HB2260 (Attachment 9). Dr. Warren provided his professional story that was influenced by his acceptance of the National Health Service Corps loan repayment program. The program paid a portion of his student loans for each year of full time work in underserved areas. Since 2015, Dr. Warnes has had a physician assistant and a nurse practitioner participate in the Kansas State Loan Repayment Program. While some move on after completing their obligation, many stay in rural areas after bonding to their facility and community.
Amy Campbell, Kansas Mental Health Coalition, provided testimony in support of HB2260 (Attachment 10). Mental health and substance use disorder treatment providers are facing serious workforce challenges. The state must take action to expand the workforce. The Coalition recommends that the State look to other partnerships with additional educational institutions to build a workforce at the various clinical levels and create career pathways to bring Kansans into the mental health careers.
Written only testimony was provided by the following:
Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society (Attachment 11)
The hearing was closed on HB2260.
Without objection the committee worked HB2260.
Representative Eplee motioned and Representative Ruiz seconded to pass out HB2260 favorably. Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 2:47 PM.
