The Chair opened the hearing on HB2703.  Assistant Revisor Ma gave an overview of the bill and stood for questions.  (Attachment 1)

Testimony in support of the bill was given virtually by Jonathan Buxton, Senior Director, State Affairs, Pharmaceutical Care Management Association (PCMA).  PCMA believes this bill will create a mechanism to review insurance mandates considered by the legislature for the impact those mandates would have on Kansas residents by seeking the true cost of insurance mandates before laws are codified. (Attachment 2)

Andrew Wiens, Executive Director,  Kansas Employees for Affordable Healthcare (KEAH) testified in support;  KEAH advocates on behalf of employers facing rising healthcare costs by pushing back against anti-competitive legislation and mandates that harm Kansans.  The organization believes this legislation will ensure that policy decisions are based on facts from collected data, not assumptions, which will promote the understanding of costs and benefits to policy actions taken.  (Attachment 3)

Brad Smoot, Legislative Council,  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Kansas (BC/BS) testified in favor of the bill, noting this bill would give legislators the fiscal note they need to make informed decisions on the financial impact of legislation being considered with respect to health insurance while protecting proprietary information. (Attachment 4)

There were no neutrals or opponents present.

Thew Chair closed the hearing on HB2703.