Expect old issues in new legislative session

Expect old issues in new legislative session

The 2025 Kansas legislative session convened Jan. 13, and some issues from the previous session likely will return.

Nurse anesthetists (CRNAs) plan to renew their push to expand their scope of practice. Unlike the limited expansion approved in 2022 for APRNs, the CRNAs want to practice without any restrictions, which could include surgery and other invasive procedures.

Optometrists also seek an expanded scope that would allow for multiple procedures that overlap into the practice of medicine. The Kansas Medical Society and MSSC oppose these scope expansions.

One highlight of last session was the 9% increase in the Medicaid physician pay schedule. KMS and MSSC will continue to advocate for increased rates.

Medicaid expansion remains a priority of Gov. Laura Kelly, and KMS and MSSC also support it. However, GOP legislative leaders oppose it, making it difficult for any bill to advance.

Kelly also supports medical marijuana. Kansas is now surrounded by states that have approved marijua­na use in some form. KMS and MSSC oppose medical marijuana, because marijuana is not an FDA-approved drug and is not administered with the evidence-based protocols used for prescription medicines.

The 2024 elections expanded Republican control of the Legislature. As a result, it is likely some bills that Kelly vetoed last year will be reintro­duced, such as banning gender-affirm­ing care for minors.

Dr. Hoppock

Kevin Hoppock, MD, leads MSSC’s Legislative Committee, which meets every other Friday at 7 a.m. via Zoom during the first two months of the ses­sion. If you would like to participate, contact MSSC. To look up bills, follow hearings and listen to live proceed­ings, visit http://kslegislature.org.

Another good way to engage is to attend the KMS Advocacy Day in Topeka on Jan. 29. In addition to hearing from top legislative leaders, you’ll be able to interact with state lawmakers. Register at https://kmsonline.org/advocacyday.