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Minutes for SB352 - Committee on Public Health and Welfare
Short Title
Enacting the John D. Springer patient's bill of rights to require hospitals to allow in-person visitation, adopt visitation policies and procedures and creating a civil cause of action for violation of such rights.
Minutes Content for Wed, Feb 7, 2024
Chairperson Gossage opened the hearing on SB352.
Jenna Moyer, Staff Revisor gave an overview of the bill. (Attachment 1) She answered questions from committee members.
Senator Mark Steffen testified in support of SB352. He said that hospitals across Kansas and the nation fell prey to bad ethical practices, including patient neglect, non-discussed treatment plans, medications given that were expressly refused, reimbursement-based treatment protocols, and bedsores, during the Covid response. This bill is in honor of Mr. John D. Springer, a beloved husband and father who was forced to suffer and ultimately die alone because of the unchecked Covid hospital response. (Attachment 2)
Peggy Springer gave testimony supporting SB352. Peggy Springer is the widow of John D Springer. She said this bill is geared towards protecting the patient and their family and had this bill been in place when her husband got ill, she would not be here speaking today. (Attachment 3)
Amy Siple testified in support of SB352. She stated that never again should patients be subjected to isolation and suffering like they did during Covid and to take a stand for the patient's bill of rights. (Attachment 4)
Andrea Erickson gave proponent testimony for SB352. She said that having a loved one at the bedside during any type of out of home care offers assistance with activities of daily living, plus, loved ones can advocate and share health information with medical staff and act as a safety net of care. (Attachment 5)
Debbie Detmer gave testimony in support of SB352. She stated that civil action is a must if the hospitals and/or nursing homes create prisons for patients in the future and that individual rights are a must. (Attachment 6)
Georgeanne Lovelace spoke as a proponent for SB352 as the widow of Darryl Lovelace. It is her hope that SB52 is passed and ensures compassion for future families so they don't have to endure the horrors that her family endured. (Attachment 7)
Julie Ribelin testified in support of SB352. She told the story of her dad's hospitalization and death from Covid and the lack of compassion both he and her mom suffered during this time. (Attachment 8)
Karen Hershey gave proponent testimony for SB352.by saying that SB352 was an excellent bill and has been a long time in coming. She has that this exhortation be considered, "Don't do to someone else what you wouldn't want done to you". (Attachment 9)
Kathy Brown gave testimony in support of SB352 stated in her proponent testimony that as a nurse, she knows that patients get well faster when surrounded by loved ones (Attachment 10)
They took questions from committee members.
Written only proponent testimony was submitted by:
Lauren Shiffman, Individual (Attachment 11)
Connie Schmidt, Individual (Attachment 12)
Glen Burdue, Individual (Attachment 13)
Lindsey Berning, Individual (Attachment 14)
Julie Buresh, RN, CCM, Heartland Case Management (Attachment 15)
Jill O'Connor, Kansas Precinct Committeewoman (Attachment 16)
Kathy Hisel, RN (Attachment 17)
William D. Mize, Kansans for Health Freedom (Attachment 18)
Brett Anderson, Republican Precinct Committeeman (Attachment 19)
Jaime Kissinger, Sedgwick County Precinct Committeewoman (Attachment 20)
Rod Haley, Long Term Care Administrator (Attachment 21)
Kari Vosburgh, Sedgwick County Precinct Committeewoman (Attachment 22)
Kathy Saulnier, Individual (Attachment 23)
Tara May testified in opposition of SB352. She stated that the committee should be aware that visitation policies in hospitals are also regulated by the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services conditions of participation for infection control. She also said that hospitals believe that these policies and sentiments are best dealt with between patients, visitors, and medical care facilities rather than in state statute. (Attachment 24)
Rachelle Colombo gave opposition testimony on SB352 by saying that as written, she fears that SB352 will inadvertently erode the trusting relationship between caregivers and patients which is crucial to successful care outcomes. (Attachment 25)
They answered questions from committee members.
Written only opponent testimony was submitted by:
Nicole Milo, System Director, Mountain Region CommonSpirit Health. (Attachment 26)
Debra Mize gave neutral testimony by stating that she wants to support SB352 but urges amendments to protect the citizens of Kansas. (Attachment 27)
Chairperson Gossage closed the hearing on SB352.
