2016 Kentucky Legislative Roundup

2016 Kentucky Legislative Roundup

Reduce Risk of Skin Cancer for Kentucky Youth  

• HB 196 and SB 108 —Restricting Minors’ Access to Tanning Devices. ACS CAN strongly supported HB 196 and SB 108, which would prohibit minors under the age 18 from using indoor tanning devices, thus greatly reducing exposure to a known carcinogen. HB 196 passed the house.  SB 108 passed favorably out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee, but did not receive a vote on the Senate floor.  ACS CAN will be back in full force in 2017 to pass this lifesaving legislation. 

Support Access to Patient-Centered and Family-Focused Palliative Care

• HB 410 —Palliative Care Advisory Council. ACS CAN advocated for a bill to create an advisory council in the Kentucky Department of Public Health to build capacity and raise awareness of palliative care services among the public and the health care community.  HB 410 received an informational hearing in the House Health and Welfare Committee, and we anticipate movement on similar legislation in 2017.

Prevent Colon Cancer and Save Lives with Screening

 • HB 115 – Expanding the Kentucky Colorectal Cancer Screening Program.  ACS CAN supported legislation to expand the Kentucky Colorectal Cancer Screening Program to include underinsured Kentuckians.  The legislation also changes the requirements for screenings to base them on American Cancer Society screening guidelines, making it easier for higher risk populations to receive screenings at earlier.

Save Lives and Money by Establishing Strong Tobacco Control Policies

• HB 410 —Smoke-free Indoor Air.  ACS CAN continues to strongly support comprehensive smoke-free workplace policies.  Legislation was filed in the house, however, no action was taken.

• SB 291 —Tobacco Cessation Coverage.  ACS CAN supported legislation requiring all Kentucky insurers, including Medicaid and private insurers, to cover the treatments recommended by the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for tobacco cessation, including all seven Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved medications and all three forms of counseling without cost-sharing or prior authorization.  SB 291 received an informational hearing in the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee.  No further action was taken.  ACS CAN will be supporting similar legislation during the 2017 legislative session.