The hearing was opened on HB2718.

Carly Choi, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview on HB2718 (Attachment 1).

Haely Ordoyne, State Long-term Care Ombudsman, provided testimony in support of HB2718 (Attachment 2). The bill was a result of discussion during the Robert Bethell KanCare Oversight Committee meeting. The bill came about due to residents at adult care homes being charged a fee labeled as "medication set-up, medication administration, or ancillary pharmacy" fee. The fees ranged from $150-300/month. This fee is being assessed for private pay residents only. This violates a resident's right to a choice of provider. This is also having an impact on local pharmacy providers by removing the ability for loyal customers to keep their provider.

Ms. Ordoyne responded to questions from the committee.

Kylee Childs, Director of Government Affairs, LeadingAge Kansas, provided testimony in opposition to HB2718 (Attachment 3). While the intent of the bill to preserve resident choice of pharmacy is appreciated, HB2718 creates significant regulatory conflict, operational risk, and patient safety concerns across multiple adult care home licensure types. The bill grants a resident the right to select a pharmacy regardless of the type of medication distribution system used by the adult care home and prohibits fees tied to that choice. The language fails to account for the extensive federal and state regulatory obligations imposed on providers. The committee was provided a breakdown of federal regulations effected. Information regarding regulations effecting state-licensed adult care homes was reviewed with the committee.

Written only testimony provided by the following:

Jessica Easterwood, Executive Director of Assisted Living and Memory Support (Attachment 4)

Written only neutral testimony provided by the following:

Holly Noble, Administrator, Attica Long Term Care (Attachment 5)

Sloane Freeman, PharmD, on behalf of the Kansas Pharmacists Association (Attachment 6)

Chellie Ortiz, President, Independent Pharmacy Association of Kansas (Attachment 7)

The hearing on HB2718 was closed.