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Legislation Aimed At Protecting Kansas Investment
Topeka – The House Appropriations Committee introduced legislation today in the Kansas House of Representatives that would require legislative approval of any partnerships between a state university hospital and other entities.
“Through the years Kansans have invested hundreds of millions of dollars in the University of Kansas Medical Center and School of Medicine. It troubles me the medical center has involved itself with plans that could take its assets across stateline without consulting the Kansas Legislature,” said Kansas Speaker Melvin Neufeld, (R – Ingalls).
Kansas University Hospital and KU School of Medicine are negotiating with St. Luke’s Hospital to establish an affiliation between the three. Speaker Neufeld said it is his intention to protect Kansans’ investment.
“Kansas lawmakers are elected to make sure good public policy is enacted – and that includes protecting the state’s assets. We need to know the details of these negotiations to make sure this partnership is in the best interest of Kansas. On the surface, it makes no sense to send Kansas health care dollars to Missouri,” said Neufeld.
House Bill 2134 will be assigned to a committee early next week.
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