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Minutes for HB2750 - Committee on Health and Human Services
Short Title
Permitting the use of expedited partner therapy to treat a sexually transmitted disease.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 12, 2024
Dr. Dereck Totten, Chief Medical Officer, Kansas Department of Health and Environment (KDHE), provided testimony in support of HB2750 (Attachment 4). EPT is the clinical practice of treating the partners of patients diagnosed with sexually transmitted infections by providing prescriptions, or medications, to a patient to take to his/her partner without the healthcare provider first examining the partner. KDHE strongly supports the bill and the use of EPT in treating chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. Ensuring timely treatment of partners will reduce ongoing transmission of the infection and prevent re-infection. It will also mitigate transmission to newborn babies. EPT has been recommended since 2006 for the heterosexual partners of patients diagnosed with gonorrhea. Many healthcare providers in Kansas have expressed a strong desire to implement EPT as a means of preventing STI-related infertility and other severe long term complications as a result with delayed or no treatment.
Dr. Totten responded to questions from the committee.
Kelly Fritz, Miami County Health Department, provided testimony in support of HB2750 (Attachment 5). EPT is an evidence-based practice following CDC National Guidelines and professional Standards of Care. In my practice, there have been no adverse reactions or complications from utilizing EPT. EPT is managed by treatment regimens provided by the CDC. Providing oral medications at the Health Department is preferred because many obstacles can exist at the pharmacy level. EPT can help reduce reinfection. Ms. Fritz provided example of issues she has encountered in the Miami County region.
Dr. Patrick Allen, Clinical Asst. Professor,University of Kansas School of Medicine Wichita, provided testimony in support of HB2750 (Attachment 6). Chlamydia and gonorrhea have become daily occurrences in his practice. They are not minor inconveniences. The diseases can result in hospitalizations, surgeries, chronic pain, infertility and other unnecessary and costly complications. Dr. Allen provided an example. Kansas would be the 47th state to support physicians as we employ our best clinical judgment to treat and protect our patients.
Kimberly Kern, Walgreen Pharmacist, provided testimony in support of HB2750 (Attachment 7). EPT will decrease the incidence of transmissible sexually transmitted diseases by treating the patient and their partners while making care more accessible. By providing EPT to partners without a physical exam, we are able to bridge the gap and hopefully reduce the stigma surrounding STIs in addition to reducing healthcare costs. Pharmacists have ample training and the ability to handle the counseling required when filling prescriptions for EPT. Pharmacists are medication experts and are able to have unbiased interaction for patients. Pending no drug allergies, EPT is safe and effective.
Elizabeth Groenweghe, Wyandot County United Government Public Health Department, provided testimony in support of HB2750 (Attachment 8). As STI rates continue to rise in Kansas, the use of EPT can play a pivotal role in mitigating the spread. In her position, she tracks STI rates. STIs continue to rise rapidly. In Kansas STI rates have nearly doubled in the last decade according to KDHE. Wyandotte County has the highest rate for chlamydia in the state. The CDC states that EPT is a useful option to facilitate partner management, particularly for the treatment of male partners. Statistics were provided to the committee. Evidence-based policies must be implemented to help control the spread of STIs.
The following provided written only testimony in support of bill:
Christy Evers, President, Kansas Affiliate, American College of Nurse-Midwives (Attachment 9)
Anthony Jeter, Pharmacist (Attachment 10)
Charlie Hunt, Director, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (Attachment 11)
Dr. Dena Hubbard, Chair, Public Policy Committee, Kansas Chapter, American Academy of Pediatrics (Attachment 12)
Dr. Jennifer Schrimsher, Health Officer, Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health (Attachment 13)
Dr. Joseph LeMaster, Medical Director, Johnson County Department of Health and Environment (Attachment 14)
Erin Attebery, Policy Chair, Kansas Public Health Association (Attachment 15)
Jamie Harrington, Private Citizen (Attachment 16)
Jill Burgen, Private Citizen (Attachment 17)
Kelly Kreisler, Chief Health Officer, Health Partnership Clinic (Attachment 18)
Leslie Campbell, Director and Health Officer, Pottawatomie County Health Department (Attachment 19)
Heather Braum, Health Policy Advisor, Kansas action for Children (Attachment 20)
Paula Bitter, Administrator/Health Officer, Russell County Health Department (Attachment 21)
Rachelle Colombo, Executive Director, Kansas Medical Society (Attachment 22)
Randy Bowman, Executive Director, Kansas Association of Local Health Departments (Attachment 23)
Shalei Shea, Director, Health Officer, McPherson County Health Department (Attachment 24)
Tarah Remington-Brown, Kansas Academy of Family Physicians (Attachment 25)
Teresa Fisher, Director, Shawnee County Health Departments (Attachment 26)
Jared Holroyd, Executive Director, Kansas Pharmacists Association (Attachment 27)
