(Feb. 1, 2024) – Yesterday, the House Insurance Committee, chaired by Rep. Bill Sutton (R-Gardner) saw bill introductions, including one on prior authorization reform.

Jared Holroyd, executive director of the Kansas Pharmacists Association, gave a presentation about the number of pharmacies that have closed and how actions by pharmacy benefit managers have continued to have negative consequences. Holroyd emphasized that white bagging has had serious consequences for patients.

The committee heard from pharmacists including:

• Nate Rockers, Pharmacy Owner in Paola and Louisburg – highlighted PBM Challenges
• Tessa Schnelle, Kansas Pharmacists Association, employed by The University of Kansas Health System – emphasized the white bagging impacts on patients

The committee also heard bills including House Bill 2478. HB 2478 adds "maternity center" to the definition of "healthcare provider" for purposes of the Healthcare Provider Insurance Availability Act. This was included as a budget proviso but would be codified in the state statute. The legislation was recommended favorably for passage, and the bill now goes to the full House. The only conferee appearing before the committee was Clark Shultz, executive director of the Health Care Stabilization Fund. Rep. Pat Proctor (R-Leavenworth) supported the committee, as did conferee Kendra Wyatt, CEO of New Birth Company.

The committee also held a hearing on House Bill 2533. HB 2533 requires per diem amounts, expenses and funding for examinations to be reasonable and establishes a tiered fee structure for examinations of insurance companies and societies based on gross premiums. The proponents appearing before the committee included:

• Eric Turk with the Kansas Insurance Department
• Marlee Carpenter, Kansas Association of Property and Casualty Insurance

The committee meets next week.