Legislature

EMS scope bill moves forward with big changes

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | Agencies, Legislature

After making substantial changes, a House committee on Thursday approved a bill that assigns new duties and in some cases titles for the different levels of Emergency Medical Services workers.

Ways and Means Committee agrees to cuts in social services

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | KHPA, SRS, Legislature

The Senate Ways and Means Committee on Thursday upheld proposed cuts in the budgets of the Kansas Health Policy Authority and the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Senate subcommittee hears health reform constitutional amendment

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | Legislature, Health Reform

A proposed constitutional amendment meant to protect Kansans from a possible "individual mandate" to have health insurance "is a symbolic measure and nothing more," according to a KU law professor who clerked under U.S. Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Byron White.

Insurance bill would 'test track' autism coverage

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | Child Health, Legislature, Insurance

A bill that sets the stage for requiring state-regulated insurance plans to cover autism was heard Wednesday in the Senate insurance committee.

Ways and Means subcommittee finishes KHPA and SRS budgets

0 | Mar. 11, 2010 | KHPA, SRS, Legislature

Some of the Legislature's strongest supporters of early childhood development programs signed off on sharp cuts in children's programs, re-emphasizing the signal from Senate GOP leaders that tax increases will be necessary.

Advocate: Quality assurances missing from nursing home bill

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | KHPA, Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

“There’s nothing in here that puts a focus on quality of care. It's a sieve,” said Mitzi McFatrich of Kansas Advocates for Better Care.

Efforts afoot to limit cost of tax-break bill

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Legislature

A compromise appears to be in the works on a proposal to expand tax incentives for companies that create or maintain jobs in Kansas.

Soda pop tax up Wednesday in Senate panel

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Legislature, Nutrition

A bill that would tax makers or first vendors of soda pop and other sugary drinks at 1 cent per teaspoon of sugar is scheduled to be heard Wednesday by the Senate Assessment & Taxation Committee

Disabled want faster movement off waiting list

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Advocacy, Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

Advocates for the disabled stuck 58 crosses in the ground outside the Statehouse in an effort to call attention to the 58 who have died while on the state's waiting list for Medicaid-funded in-home services.

Opponents say tobacco tax increase would wreck businesses

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Legislature, Tobacco

Opponents weigh in on tobacco tax proposal: Mom-and-pop cigar shops will be forced from business and shoppers will head to Missouri for smokes, booze, gasoline and other goods.

Governor schedules three signing ceremonies for smoking ban bill

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Legislature, Tobacco

Gov. Mark Parkinson has scheduled three signing ceremonies for a bill that will ban smoking in most public places statewide.

House panel tables alcohol tax increase

0 | Mar. 10, 2010 | Legislature, Safety Net

HB 2593 met opposition from Republicans who said it was a "feel-good" measure that would damage the food and beverage industry with no assurance the money raised would go for the intended purpose. But a Senate version of the bill has been introduced and was referred Wednesday to the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee.

Senate panel unsatisfied with cuts proposed by KHPA

0 | Mar. 09, 2010 | KHPA, Legislature

Members of the Senate budget committee that oversees spending by the Kansas Health Policy Authority made clear today they were unhappy with proposed budget cuts offered by the agency. In the course of three meetings Tuesday, members twice told the agency's chief to go back and try again

Appropriations Committee weighs nursing home tax

0 | Mar. 09, 2010 | Legislature, Medicaid-CHIP

House Bill 2673 would use a $1,325-per-year tax on licensed nursing home beds to generate about $30 million which, in turn, would be used to draw down $56 million in additional Medicaid funding.

Supporters say expanded tax break would help the treasury

0 | Mar. 09, 2010 | Legislature

Backers of a bill that would expand tax incentives for companies that create new jobs said the measure would generate more tax dollars than the state would give away.

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