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Thank you for participating in the selection of leadership for the Kansas Medical Society.

Report of the KMS Nominating Committee
The KMS Nominating Committee — comprised of LaDona Schmidt, MD, Holton, Chair; Deb Doubek, MD, Manhattan; Rob Gibbs, MD, Parsons; Jay Gilbaugh, MD, Wichita; Mike Machen, MD, Quinter; and Mark Synovec, MD, Topeka — present the following slate of candidates for KMS annual elections to be held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, at the KMS annual meeting in Topeka. Trustees and officers will serve two-year terms.

The KMS podcast features updates on the Kansas Legislature and conversations with Kansas physicians. Subscribe and listen to the KMS podcast via:

Candidate for KMS President

Mark Brady, MD is an anesthesiologist in Overland Park, Kansas. Dr. Brady is a graduate of the University of Kansas School of Medicine and has been licensed in Kansas since 1992. Dr. Brady was very active in his local county medical society and was appointed to the KMS Board of Trustees as a representative of the Medical Society of Johnson & Wyandotte Counties in 2014, and elected to the position of President-Elect in 2019. Dr. Brady served as President of the Kansas City Medical Society in 2019.

You will receive links to each Zoom session via email by the day of the event.

In the meantime, please ensure you have installed the free Zoom app to participate in the events.

While much uncertainty remains regarding the trajectory of the 2021 legislative session—including if and when legislators may be available to meet safely with constituents—we have postponed Advocacy Day. In the meantime, we want to keep KMS members apprised of legislative developments that implicate the practice of medicine in Kansas.

To that end, we are hosting monthly Zoom meetings open to all KMS members to provide updates from KMS Executive Director Rachelle Colombo, along with KMS Legislative Committee Chair Kevin Hoppock, MD.

At this time, we are postponing Advocacy Day. However, the KMS Annual Meeting portion of the event—which is solely for selecting officers from the slate presented by the KMS nominating committee—is still scheduled to take place as planned, but via Zoom. This is a separate registration form for the Annual Meeting only. If you have already registered for Advocacy Day, please also complete this registration form to let us know you plan to add the Annual Meeting as well.

Introduction

The following bills of interest to medicine are being considered by policymakers during the current session of the Kansas Legislature.

Questions? Contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Anesthesiologist Assistants

Enacts licensure of anesthesiologist assistants (AAs) under the Board of Healing Arts.

Bill information

House Bill 2295 (support)

APRN independent practice

Removes the requirement for a collaborative practice agreement between an APRN and a physician.

Bill information

House Bill 2412 (oppose)

Expedited partner therapy

Allows for the use of expedited partner therapy to treat sexually transmitted disease.

Bill information

House Bill 2198 (support)

Health Care Stabilization Fund

Bill information

Senate Bill 493 (support)
Amending healthcare stabilization fund coverage requirements and membership on the board of governors and providing for the dissolution of the fund under specified circumstances.
Senate Bill 350 (support)
Amending healthcare stabilization fund coverage requirements and membership on the board of governors and providing for the dissolution of the fund under specified circumstances.
Senate Bill 325 (support)
Requiring that certain business entities be Kansas corporations for coverage by the healthcare stabilization fund.
House Bill 2348 (oppose)
Increases the liability limits for the Health Care Stabilization Fund.

Informed consent: antipsychotic medications

Requires written informed consent prior to administering antipsychotic medications to an adult care home resident.

Bill information

House Bill 2344 (oppose)

Medicaid expansion

Expands KanCare, the state's Medicare managed care program, to include individuals earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.

Bill information

Senate Bill 252 (support)

Medical marijuana

Allows the legal use of canibus for medical purposes.

Bill information

Naturopathic medicine

Expands the naturopaths' scope of practice including allowing the prescribing of controlled substances.

Bill information

House Bill 2339 (oppose)

Podiatrists: redefined as "physicians"

Redefines podiatrists as "physicians."

Bill information

Senate Bill 165 (oppose)

On January 13 capitol dome , members of the Kansas Legislature will return to the Statehouse. KMS has spent the last several months preparing for the 2020 session and—as has been true for the last 40 years—we will be at the Capitol every day advocating for you and your patients. This promises to be a busy, complex session and several important health care discussions will be at the forefront.

Key to understanding which issues emerge and advance is the impact of the looming elections this summer and fall. In 2020, the entire legislature must stand for election—40 senators and 125 representatives. Nationally, Kansans will also cast ballots for the U.S. President, Vice President, one U.S. Senator and four U.S. Representatives.

While the primary is not until August, the coming elections will influence the debate and tenor of this session. As issues are introduced, emerge and advance, the KMS Legislative committee comprised of your peers is meeting to review and discuss policies affecting the practice of medicine.

Here’s a primer on three key, health-related issues that will be discussed by lawmakers this session.

ColomboRachelleWEB The Kansas Medical Society Board of Trustees has selected Rachelle Colombo as the organization’s next Executive Director effective January 1, 2020. Mrs. Colombo had served previously as KMS Director of Government Affairs; she will continue to spearhead the organization’s legislative efforts at the Statehouse.

“Rachelle has been a passionate advocate for KMS and the entire physician community for the past eight years. We look forward to having her continue to serve KMS in this new capacity,” said LaDona Schmidt, MD, KMS President and a Lawrence family physician.

A Wichita native, Ms. Colombo is graduate of Baylor University. She grew up in a medical family–her father, Robert Bingaman, MD is a general surgeon and her sister, Rebecca Green, MD is a family physician; both practice in Wichita. Ms. Colombo and her husband, Jeff, reside in Topeka with their two children, Katie and Max.

Ms. Colombo has a great deal of advocacy experience at the state Capitol and in Kansas politics. Before joining KMS in 2011, she served as Chief of Staff to the Speaker of the Kansas House of Representatives.

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The Kansas Medical Society in collaboration with the Kansas Medical Group Management Association will be hosting an educational webinar, Tuesday, September 10 from noon-1pm regarding Health Care Sharing Ministries: Impact on Physician Practices. Our speaker will be Richelle Marting, JD with Forbes Law Group. In this session she will discuss the growing presence of health care sharing ministries as a source of payment and how they affect a physician’s practice. Topics to be covered include:

Defining health care sharing ministries and sources of rules and requirements;
Considerations for patient registration;
Payment considerations, including ministries’ access to payor networks;
Release of information considerations if the ministry request records.

Registration for this event is required and space is limited. Registration deadline is Friday, September 6. Please use the following link to register for this event.

https://khconline.adobeconnect.com/kms-09102019/event/registration.html

Event flyer

Registration and hotel

Register here
Make hotel reservations here (Wichita Hyatt; 400 W Waterman)

Schedule of events

September 6

Joint session with Kansas Hospital Association (2-3:30pm)
Keynote address--Flawless Healthcare by Afterburner, Inc.; sponsored by KAMMCO
- Afterburner, a group of male and female fighter pilots, leverage the principles of teamwork, accountability, and continuous learning utilized in their military careers to train today’s leaders. This high-energy, multimedia session explores the Flawless Execution Model, and how it relates to the demanding and changing health care industry.
Reception with KHA & Afterburner (3:30-4pm)
KMS Board of Trustees meeting and working dinner (5-7pm)

September 7

Continental Breakfast (8-9am)
KMS Past Presidents’ Breakfast (8-9am)
KMS Annual Meeting and Members Forum (9am-noon)
President’s Installation and Luncheon (Noon-2pm)
Specialty Society Meetings (2-4pm)

approved rejected denied prior authorizationBF09B7538248 One of the most commonly reported frustrations expressed by physicians today is dealing with prior authorization. Recent national research suggests that prior authorization requirements frequently lead to delayed patient care and can have a negative impact on the clinical outcomes for patients. Now, we also know that physicians in our state share those sentiments.

KMS conducted a survey of its members seeking to identify the impact prior authorization has on physicians and patient care. The results (infographic) were clear:

97 percent of respondents reported that prior authorization delays access to necessary care
91 percent of respondents indicate prior authorization can have a negative impact on patient clinical outcomes
95 percent describe the burden associated with prior authorization as high or extremely high
96 percent of respondents indicated that the prior authorization has increased over the last five years

The survey results mirror those of a national survey which was conducted by the American Medical Association. KMS replicated the AMA’s survey so we might have state-specific data to help inform our advocacy on behalf of Kansas physicians.

KMS has already begun meeting with payers to help them understand the extent of this administrative burden. We will also be sharing with them a set of principles adopted by the KMS Board of Trustees which can help inform positive changes to the prior authorization system.

The practice of medicine and health care in general are experiencing a continuation of rapid and complex change. This pace and complexity is not expected to subside and thus is our “new normal." During the coming year, the Kansas Medical Society is uniquely positioned to respond, lead and positively influence in a number of different ways. Below are five areas in which we plan to direct much of our time, talent and resources in 2019.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH and ENGAGEMENT

Membership is the lifeblood of KMS and we’re fortunate to appear to have reversed the trend of declining membership. In 2019 membership growth will continue to be our top priority followed closely by member engagement. We will continue to increase the frequency and methods of our meaningful interaction with KMS members.

ADVOCACY

If membership is the lifeblood of KMS then advocacy is the beating heart of KMS. Advocacy is at the core of all we do. Advocating for our members and the practice of medicine is what we do best whether it’s at the Capital, negotiating with an insurance payor, championing a public health policy or assisting a physician battling burnout. Each KMS staff member is passionate about advocating for our members and the practice of medicine in Kansas.

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KMS members are invited to join their physician colleagues at the upcoming KMS Annual Meeting to be held on Saturday, September 22, 2018. The meeting will be held at the KMS office (623 SW 10th Ave.) in Topeka from 9am-2:30pm. A key portion of the event is a facilitated, open discussion about important topics facing medicine in Kansas; this year, we’ll specifically focus on the challenges regarding opioid abuse and the physician’s role in that changing environment.

REGISTER TODAY!

AMA President-elect to speak about opioids

Joining us will be Patrice A. Harris, MD, MA, the newly elected President-elect of the American Medical Association. Dr. Harris also chairs the AMA Task Force to Reduce Opioid Abuse with the goal to increase physicians’ registration and use of effective prescription drug-monitoring programs; enhance physician education on effective, evidence-based prescribing; reduce the stigma of chronic pain and substance-use disorder (SUD); and promote comprehensive assessment and treatment; expand access to naloxone in the community and through co-prescribing; and promote safe storage and disposal of opioids and all medications. Dr. Harris, a psychiatrist from Atlanta, has diverse experience as a private practicing physician, public health administrator, patient advocate and medical society lobbyist. She was elected to the AMA Board of Trustees in June 2011.

Keynote speaker: “Dreamland” author

Quinones headshot The day will conclude with our Luncheon Keynote Speaker, Sam Quinones. Mr. Quinones is a journalist, storyteller, former L.A. Times reporter, and author of three acclaimed books including Dreamland: The True Tale of America’s Opiate Epidemic, the 2015 National Book Critics Circle Award Winner for general nonfiction. The book chronicles the opiate crisis of a town in Ohio, and how that town came together to address dependency and work toward economic and social revitalization. Mr. Quinones is busy on the speaking circuit, recently speaking to members of the medical societies in Colorado and Indiana.

If you have questions, contact Nancy Sullivan at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This year, for the fifth time in our history, all KMS members will have the opportunity to vote on the election of the physicians who will lead our organization. Previously, only those physicians who attended the House of Delegates meeting as a delegate had the opportunity to vote. We are excited about this change and look forward to enhanced member engagement in this most-important process.

Directions

Select the electronic ballot which matches your Trustee District:
All votes must be cast by September 21, 2018.

If you have questions about the election process, please contact the KMS office at 800.332.0156.

The Kansas State Board of Healing Arts has adopted a statement on the use of controlled substances for the treatment of chronic pain.

Download the policy here

The joint policy was also adopted by the Kansas Board of Nursing and the Kansas Board of Pharmacy.

One of the most meaningful aspects of the KMS Annual Meeting (#KMS2017) is the hearing from our physician members, through the Members Forum. This year was no exception. During the September 9 meeting, members provided their perspectives on important issues impacting Kansas physicians.

Pharmacist Prescribing

Members discussed the current practice of drug therapy management allowed by pharmacists who are working with physicians through collaborative practice agreements. Some pharmacists have asserted that collaborative practice agreements are too restrictive and patients would be better served by pharmacist prescribing. Members reported concerns about disrupting collaborative practice agreements and allowing pharmacists to supplant the role of the physician. There was unanimous agreement that collaborative practice agreements are helpful to patients and allow both providers to address the needs of patients in a team-like fashion.

Maintenance of Certification

Extensive comments were received regarding the benefit of MOC. Many physicians reported that MOC imposed significant new requirements and costs on busy physicians with little to show as positive outcomes. The AMA was recommended as a source for policy and strategies regarding MOC as well as partnership with other state medical societies and specialty societies seeking responsiveness from ABMS. State legislation was discussed as a potential strategy to prevent the inappropriate use of MOC that would restrict a physicians’ ability to practice. KMS is actively engaged in the MOC issue at the state and federal levels.

Medical Marijuana

The question posed to KMS Membership was whether its current policy should change regarding the use of medical marijuana. Currently, KMS policy opposes the use of marijuana for medical purposes due to lack of FDA approval and scientific evidence of medical efficacy. Several physicians indicated that while they are not personally or philosophically opposed to marijuana if it has proven medical use, both scientific research, evidence and training will be necessary before there is support for legalizing cannabis for medical use.

Physician Burnout/Wellness

Research was shared that indicated an increase in the number of US physicians who report symptoms of burnout. One of the most recent reports indicate that 54% of practicing physicians display one or more symptoms of burnout. Numerous physicians provided factors that contribute to physician burnout and one physician reported that research indicates women physicians experience burnout at a higher rate than their male colleagues.

Opioid/Pain Management

A number of physicians acknowledged the current opioid challenge within Kansas and the challenge of balancing the need/duty to treat a patient’s pain while not inadvertently creating a physical dependency for opioid based prescriptions. There was common agreement that K-TRACS was a valuable tool for physicians. Several physicians cited the need for additional physician education on the issues of opioid addiction and effective pain management strategies. Lastly, several KMS members urged KMS to discourage legislative interference in the patient-physician relationship as it pertains to pain management.

Click a link below to view the web versions of Kansas Physician, our e-newsletter. The link will open in a new browser window or tab.

(NOTE: Due to a mid-year change in our delivery mechanism, newsletters from 2017 are divided. You will find issues published January-June here.)

Frank SesnoJoin us September 9

Make plans to join us at the upcoming KMS Annual Meeting on Saturday, September 9, 2017 from 9am-2:30pm at the KMS/KaMMCO Building in Topeka.

REGISTER HERE

We are excited about this one-day format which includes networking and time for members to share concerns & ideas directly with the KMS Board of Trustees. Our keynote speaker, Frank Sesno–Correspondent, Anchor and Washington Bureau Chief, CNN (1984-2001; 2005-2009) and Director, George Washington University's School of Media & Public Affairs–will discuss the challenging politics surrounding health care and share how asking the right questions, at the right time can spark meaningful dialogue on important topics.

Are you asking the right questions?

Well-known as anchor, White House Correspondent and talk show host with CNN, he is also a nationally-renowned moderator, who has engaged some of the world’s leading personalities. Sesno currently serves as Director of George Washington University’s School of Media and Public Affairs, where he leads a faculty of nearly two dozen world-class faculty who research and teach journalism, political communication and the impact of digital media in international affairs.

Mr. Sesno has authored a book entitled Ask More which addresses the art of inquiry wherein inspirational people have discovered truth and success through curiosity, questions and the ability to actively listen. Sesno will discuss how people–through improved questioning–can improve their interactions. He will also provide attendees with insight into the current political dynamics surrounding the national discussion on health care.

Contact Nancy Sullivan (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Denise Lantz (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) if you have questions.

2017-2018 KMS Board of Trustees Nominations and Ballots

With the KMS Annual Meeting comes the opportunity for all KMS members to vote on the election of the physicians who will lead the organization. The slate of nominations and ballots for the 2017-2018 KMS Board of Trustees will be mailed to you in the coming days. We encourage you to take a few moments and participate in the election process by casting your vote. If you have questions, contact the KMS office at 800.332.0156.