IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 10, 2007 

For Information Contact:     
Sherriene Jones-Sontag
Office of Speaker Melvin Neufeld
785/296-2302

HEALTH CARE REFORM LEGISLATION BECOMES LAW

Topeka – The Foundations of Health Reform Act of 2007 became law today with the governor signing House Substitute for Senate Bill 11.

 “The issue facing Kansas is whether we want to empower Kansas families so they can decide how to spend their health care dollars or to expand state bureaucracy. This legislation puts Kansas citizens in charge and strengthens the private sector and insurance markets instead of expanding government programs,” Speaker Melvin Neufeld (R-Ingalls) said. “Giving Kansans control of their health care needs will allow them not state government to decide what is best for their loved ones. This reform will improve our state’s health care system and insure all Kansans receive the best care available, no matter what their financial status.”

The Foundations of Health Reform Act of 2007 includes:

• Begins Medicaid reform that includes long-term care alternatives, health opportunity accounts and giving Medicaid recipients choices of private insurance through tax credits, vouchers and premium assistance.
• Establishes Safety Net Clinic Capital Loan Guarantee Act to strengthen and expand Safety Net Clinics that offer low-cost and free health care to uninsured Kansans.
• Creates the Small Employer Cafeteria Plan Development Program to encourage and expand the use of pre-tax dollars to pay for health care by small businesses
• Encourages association and small business health insurance plans through grants and no-interest loans.
• Establishes an Inspector General to monitor Medicaid programs for waste, fraud and abuse.

Speaker Neufeld pointed out much of the new law is based on KanCare, a plan put together by the House Republican Health Care Task Force.

“House Republicans pledged earlier this year to find a way to make health care more accessible and affordable to Kansans.  I am proud of the work done by the task force.  This is real reform that will serve Kansas well and save her taxpayers millions of dollars in the years to come,” Speaker Neufeld said.

Task Force Members included: Rep. Jeff Coyler, MD, Chairman; Rep. Peggy Mast, Vice-Chair; Rep. Bob Bethell; Rep. Terrie Huntington; Rep. Mike Kiegerl; Rep. Jeff King; Rep. Brenda Landwehr; Rep. Mike O’Neal; Rep. Clark Shultz; Rep. Kenny Wilk; Rep. Kevin Yoder; Majority Leader Ray Merrick; and Speaker Neufeld.

House Substitute for SB 11 also expands the state’s newborn screening program; amends statutes that govern the practice of physical therapy; and creates new requirements in the Pharmacy Act. It also gives new authority to the Secretary of Health and Environment for the use of confidential data in the cancer registry and establishes the Umbilical Cord Donation Information Act. 

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