FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 28, 2008

Topeka – In response to stalled reform efforts in the Kansas Senate, a House subcommittee has been appointed to produce a comprehensive health reform bill.   

 “We have been holding informational hearings on health reform for a number of weeks and the committee is now looking forward to crafting substantive healthcare solutions for Kansas,” Health and Human Services Committee Chairwoman Brenda Landwehr said. “We’re excited to begin this work.”

The Subcommittee will be chaired by Rep. Jeff Colyer, M.D. (R-Overland Park), who was the primary architect of the major health reforms enacted last year.  “We will act.  Last year everyone thought health reform was dead, and the House produced the biggest reforms in decades.  We will not let Kansans down,” said Colyer.  Republican Subcommittee members include:  Jeff Colyer (R-Overland Park), Joe Patton (R-Topeka), David Crum (R-Augusta), and Peggy Mast (R-Emporia). 

 “We are committed to real reform this year.  The House will act responsibly to be sure we continue reforming health care,” House Speaker Melvin Neufeld said. 

A series of subcommittee hearings will begin next Wednesday in Capitol Rm 526 at 1:30 pm.  While the Senate is considering the smoking ban, the goal is to pass a number of measures including many of the Kansas Health Policy Authority proposals and additional substantive reforms. 

“Some have complained that the KHPA proposals didn’t include some important reforms,” Rep Colyer said.  “We will look at ways to make commercial insurance more affordable and portable.  We need to make sure people with cancer don’t lose their insurance.” 

“The Subcommittee will also look at Medicaid Reform that includes personal responsibility, preventing waste fraud and abuse, and transitions people to private stable insurance,” Colyer added.  “Shortages of nurses and doctors, health costs, and quality of care will all be considerations.”  

Health Reform is expected to be debated on the House floor in March.

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