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Minutes for SB307 - Committee on Ways and Means
Short Title
Adding for-profit private entity to the definition of "qualified applicant" in the Kansas fights addiction act.
Minutes Content for Tue, Mar 21, 2023
Chairperson Billinger opened the hearing on SB 307. David Wiese, Office of the Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of the bill and responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 13)
Travis Lowe, Acadia Healthcare, testified in support of the bill as it brings key technical amendments to allow for-profit entities to participate in the opioid settlement fund process. For-profit entities were left off the Kansas Fights Addiction Act but he believes it was an oversight and that they were not specifically excluded. This bill simply allows the Wichita Comprehensive Treatment Center to be eligible for review and consideration by the Grant Review Board and would get help to Kansans who need it. Mr. Lowe responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 14)
Christopher Teters, Assistant Attorney General, spoke as a proponent of the bill. This does not risk disturbing the existing settlement agreements and does not endanger the State's ability to recover opioid settlement funds. In total the Office of the Attorney General anticipates recovering over $340 million over 18 years. These funds are restricted to opioid and substance use abatement. The Kansas Fights Addiction Grant Review Board can respond to the opioid crisis and this bill will expand the Board's ability to fight back more directly and more efficiently. Mr. Teters responded to questions from Committee members. (Attachment 15)
Written testimony in support of the bill was submitted by:
Stuart Little, Behavioral Health Association of Kansas (Attachment 16)
Pat George, Chairman, Kansas Fights Addiction Board (Attachment 17)
Nick Reinecker, Private Citizen, spoke in opposition to the bill. He is concerned with the concept of patient brokering as there is a lack of enforcement of kick-back laws. He fails to see the connection between a luxury atmosphere of massages, gourmet food, and equine therapy with addiction abatement. If this bill passes it would clog the grant review board from those trying to make a buck. (Attachment 18)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Billinger closed the hearing on SB 307.
Chairperson Billinger adjourned the meeting at 11:37 am. The next meeting will be March 23, 2023.
