D150C3F1D30FB4A887258AEE007B13AD Hearing Summary

Senators Fields and
Buckner, primary bill sponsors, introduced Senate Bill 24-175 which creates
and modifies multiple programs concerning perinatal health, as discussed
below.



Doula service
coverage. The bill requires large employer health benefit plans to cover
doula services to the same extent and with the same provider qualification
requirements as required by Medicaid. It requires the Department of Regulatory
Agencies  to submit a state defrayal determination to the federal
Department of Health and Human Services for other state-regulated insurance
plans and require coverage upon confirmation or after 365 days if no response
is received.



Maternal and infant
health quality improvement initiatives. The bill mandates hospitals that
provide labor and deliver or neonatal care services to participate in at
least one maternal or infant health quality improvement initiative and
meet reporting requirements.



Perinatal Health
Quality Improvement Engagement Program. The bill requires the Department
of Public Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Perinatal Quality
Collaborative, to:



·        create the Perinatal Health Quality Improvement
Engagement Program to distribute grants to select hospitals to meet the
mandate;



·        track implementation of the recommendations
of the Colorado Maternal Mortality Review Committee;




·        implement their own initiatives to improve
maternal mortality and morbidity; and




·        address discrepancies in care.



Committee members asked the bill sponsors questions.

Rebecca Alderfer, representing Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Anderson, representing Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Donald Stader, representing The Naloxone Project & Stader Opioid Consultants, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Essey Yirdaw, representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill.

Pia Long, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Lauren Smith, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Johnny Johnson, representing Institute for Childrens' Mental Health, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Ms. Tiffany Miller-Kuhwede, representing Colorado Perinatal Care Quality Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Camille Hoffman, representing Institute for Childrens' Mental Health, testified in support of the bill.

Committee members asked the panel questions.

Ms. Karen Sandoval, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Whitney Buckendorf, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Bridget Anshus, representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Yebuah,
representing Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, was
available to answer committee questions.



Jim Leonard, representing Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing Department,
was available to answer committee questions.



Brooke Greenky, representing Colorado Health Care Policy and Financing
Department, was available to answer committee questions.



Additional written
testimony was submittted to the committee (Attachment E).

Senator Fields explained amendment L.001 (Attachment F).

Senator Fields explained amendment L.002 (Attachment G).

The bill sponsors provided closing remarks.