The hearing on SB430 was opened,

Dahnika Short, Revisor of Statutes, provided an overview of SB430 (Attachment 1).

Ms. Short responded to questions from the committee.

Jennifer Caswell, Legislative Chair, American Physical Therapy Association - Kansas, provided testimony in support of SB430 (Attachment 2). The bill would allow licensed physical therapists to perform very limited, CLIA-waived-point-of-care finger stick testing, specifically lactate and non -diagnostic blood glucose testing. The purpose is solely to guide rehabilitation and exercise decisions. Physical therapy is increasingly data driven and safety focused. The bill does not expand diagnostic authority, venipuncture or IV access, and does not allow disease screening or medical diagnosis. When an abnormal value is identified, a physical therapist will stop or modify activity and communicate with the patient's primary physician. A review of the tests the bill will allow were discussed with the committee.

Ms. Caswell responded to questions from the committee.

Chris Deck, Reimbursement Chair, American Physical Therapy Association - Kansas Chapter, provided testimony in support of SB430 (Attachment 3). Mr. Deck provided information on how lactate levels are a factor in determining the current status of his patients receiving therapy. An explanation of the Lactate Plus Meter System was given. Current malpractice insurance will only indemnify testing and treatment that is allowed in state law. This is why the bill was introduced so that patients will benefit from established science.

Mr.Deck responded to questions from the committee. 

Susan Giles, Executive Director, Kansas State Board of Healing Arts, provided testimony in opposition to SB430 (Attachment 4). The Board remains uncomfortable with the bill as it unnecessarily expands the scope of the physical therapy practice act. Section 1(f) states the cost of the tests cannot be billed to third party insurance, but the patient may be billed for reasonable costs of the test supplies. The bill may change the standard of care for all PTs. Issues related to liability were presented to the committee. Public safety must remain the primary consideration.

Ms. Giles responded to questions from the committee.

Danielle Vequist, Private Citizen, provided testimony in opposition to SB430 (Attachment 5). Currently, there are no discipline-specific clinical practice guidelines, standardized education or training requirements, or clearly defined responsibilities related to laboratory test interpretation, clinical decision making or follow-up. The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy and the Healthcare Regulatory Research Institute are in the early stages of studying the knowledge and skills required for PTs to safely and effectively prescribe and utilize laboratory testing. Issues regarding liability were presented to the committee. Point-of-care laboratory testing is not part of standard physical therapy education. At issue are the devices being used represent an expansion of scope beyond the device's intended us.

Ms. Vequist responded to questions from the committee.

The following provided opponent written only testimony:

Travis Oiler, Executive Director, Kansas Chiropractic Association (Attachment 6)

The hearing on SB430 was closed.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:40 PM.