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S_HHS_2019A 04/04/2019 01:32:18 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 04/04/2019
Attendance
Crowder X
Smallwood X
Winter X
Pettersen X
Fields X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Time 01:32:18 PM to 06:35:35 PM
Place LSB B
This Meeting was called to order by Senator Fields
This Report was prepared by Elizabeth Haskell
Hearing Items Action Taken
Conf 19-Human Services — State Board Of Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 19-Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise- Colorado Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Required Presentation – Connect for Health Colorado - Annual Report Committee Discussion Only
SB19-134 Committee Discussion and Laid Over for Action
SB19-217 Committee Discussion and Laid Over for Action
SB19-219 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations

Conf 19-Human Services — State Board Of - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


01:33:08 PM  
Kyle Zinth, Department of Human Services,
discussed the membership and charge of the of the State Board of Human
Services (board).
01:34:42 PM  
Connie Rule, appointee, told the committee
about her professional background and why she would like to continue to
serve as amember of the board.

The Governor's executive order and appointment
letter may be found in Attachment A.  Ms. Rule's application and resume
may be found at the State Archives.

01:35:45 PM  
Commissioner Thomas Davidson, appointee,
told the committee about his professional background and why he wants to
continue to serve as a member of the board.

The Governor's executive order and appointment
letter may be found in Attachment A.  Commissioner Davidson's application
and resume may be found at the State Archives.

01:36:44 PM  
Commissioner Julie Westendorff, appointee,
told the committee about her professional background and why she wants
to continue to serve as a member of the board.



The Governor's executive order and appointment letter may be found in Attachment
A.  Commissioner Westendorff's application and resume may be found
at the State Archives.
01:38:51 PM  

Commissioner John Kefalas, appointee, told the committee about his professional background and why he would like to serve as a member of the board.

 

The Governor's executive order and appointment letter may be found in Attachment A.  Commissioner Kefalas' application and resume may be found at the State Archives.

 



01:48:41 PM
Motion Refer the appointment of Connie Rule, Thomas Davidson, Julie Westendorff, and John Kefalas to the State Board of Human Services to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Pettersen
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 19-Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise- Colorado - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar


01:49:19 PM  
Nancy Dolson, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, discussed the charge and responsibilities of the Colorado Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE).
01:51:57 PM  
Kathryn Ashenfelter, appointee, told the
committee about her professional background and why she wants to continue
to serve as a member of the CHASE board.



The Governor's executive order and appointment letter may be found in Attachment
B.  Ms. Ashenfelter's application and resume may be found at the State
Archives
.


01:54:42 PM
Motion Refer the appointment of Kathryn Ashenfelter to the Colorado Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Pettersen
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Required Presentation – Connect for Health Colorado - Annual Report - Committee Discussion Only


01:55:10 PM  

Adela Flores-Brennan, Connect for Health Colorado Board of Directors, discussed the 2019 open enrollment period.  She told the committee that two of the four board members who are appointed by legislative leadership are term limited at the end of June 2019.  She suggested that legislative leadership consider the appointment of two new members to the board in accordance with Section 10-22-105, Colorado Revised Statutes.

01:57:25 PM  
Kevin Patterson, Connect for Health Colorado (exchange),
presented on the 2019 open enrollment and distributed an informational
packet to the committee (Attachment C).  He provided a historical
perspective of Colorado's efforts to address the cost of health care.
02:01:00 PM  
He told the committee about the value the exchange provides
to its customers through financial assistance and connecting customers
with quality healthcare coverage.
02:03:01 PM  
He discussed the number of Coloradans who are enrolled in
health insurance through the exchange, the issues rural residents face
affording health care, and the strategic plan for the exchange, including
enhancing the technological tools that assist consumers with selecting
and enrolling in health plans.
02:09:49 PM  
Mr. Patterson responded to questions.



SB19-134 - Committee Discussion and Laid Over for Action


02:25:26 PM  

Senator Tate, bill sponsor presented Senate Bill 19-134 and distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment D).  The bill establishes disclosure requirements and payment schedules for out-of-network health care services, and creates an arbitration process for insurance carriers and health care providers to settle billing disputes.

02:35:15 PM  
Bethany Pray, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified against the bill.
02:38:52 PM  
Jessica Morgan, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified against the bill.
02:42:05 PM  
Adela Flores-Brennan, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified against the bill.
02:45:48 PM  
The witness panel responded to committee questions.
02:59:20 PM  

Nick Colglazier, Colorado Competitive Council, testified against the bill.

03:01:08 PM  

Virginia Morrison Love, American's Health Insurance Plans, testified against the bill.

03:03:52 PM  
Brad Niederman, Colorado State Association
of Health Underwriters, testified against the bill.
03:12:58 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
03:17:25 PM  
Dr. Dave Downs, Colorado Medical Society,
testified in support of the bill.
03:21:57 PM  

Dr. Nathaniel Hibbs, Emergency Physicians of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment E).

03:25:29 PM  

Dr. David Friedenson, Colorado Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians, testified in support of the bill.

03:29:42 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
03:44:16 PM  
Dr. Steve Quach, Care Point Health, testified in support of the bill.
03:47:56 PM  

Dr. Don Stader, Emergency Medicine Physicians, testified in support of the bill.

03:52:16 PM  
Dr. Anna Weyand, Colorado Society of Anaesthesia,
testified in support of the bill.
03:57:09 PM  
Dr. Gary Ghiselli, Colorado Orthopedic Society, testified in support of the bill.
04:00:10 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
04:14:48 PM  

Dr. Scott Bentz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

04:17:34 PM  
Jeanette Hensley, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.
04:21:06 PM  
Mark Kozlowski, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.
04:23:12 PM  

John Conklin, Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill.

04:26:20 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
04:33:40 PM  
Dr. Friedenson returned to the table to respond to questions.
04:39:04 PM  
Paul Webster, Assure Holdings, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.
04:48:25 PM  
Senator Tate made closing comments.
04:52:20 PM  

Committee members commented on the bill and witness testimony.

04:55:22 PM  

Senator Fields laid the bill over for action only.



SB19-217 - Committee Discussion and Laid Over for Action


04:55:52 PM  

Senator Tate and Senator Foote, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-217.  This bill creates a healthcare provider lien.  A healthcare provider lien is a lien created by a healthcare provider for charges for medical care provided to a person injured by the negligence or wrongful act of another person.  Before or at the time of the creation of a healthcare provider lien, a healthcare provider must advise the injured person of all available methods for payment of the healthcare providers charges for treating them and billing options.  All future care may be billed to an insurance provider if the injured party or his or her lawyer notifies the healthcare provider that they have obtained health insurance.  A healthcare lien cannot exceed the cost of the health services provided and may not include any surcharges, finance charges, or interest.  A healthcare provider lien may be assigned to another person or entity and such assignment is not discoverable or admissible as evidence in any third-party civil claim.

05:02:55 PM  
Kelly Campbell, American Property Casualty
Insurance Association, testified against the bill
.
05:02:56 PM  

Caleb Meyer, Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.

05:06:11 PM  
Jeff Ruebel, Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.
05:12:13 PM  

Christopher Reeves, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, testified against the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment F).

05:18:17 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
05:25:54 PM  
Krista Meardon, Injury Finance, testified in support of the bill.
05:31:10 PM  
Royal Washington, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.
05:32:20 PM  
Rich Sokol, Personicare, testified in support of the bill.
05:36:36 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
05:48:52 PM  
Perry Rickel, Marrick Medical, testified in support of the bill.
05:52:31 PM  
Julie Morris, representing herself, testified
in support of the bill.
05:53:27 PM  
Lori Jacobs, representing herself, testified in support of her bill.
05:56:16 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
05:57:27 PM  
Dr. Pamela Knight, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
06:01:24 PM  

Natalie Brown, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

06:05:11 PM  
Geoff Blue, Colorado Association for Health Care Access, testified in support of the bill.
06:17:14 PM  
The witness panel responded to questions.
06:20:23 PM  

Senator Foote made closing comments.  Committee discussion followed.

06:35:24 PM  
Senator Fields recessed the meeting
07:08:25 PM  
Senator Fields reconvened the meeting.
07:09:08 PM  
Zachary Mugge, Well States Healthcare,
testified in support of the bill.
07:09:09 PM  

Senator Fields laid the bill over for action only.



SB19-219 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations


06:24:09 PM  

Senator Pettersen, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-219 and distributed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments G and H).  Under current law, the Colorado Licensing of Controlled Substances Act in the Department of Human Services (DHS) is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2019.  This bill extends the repeal date to September 1, 2026, and implements several recommendations from the sunset report. These changes include:

  • requiring the DHS to develop and implement an information technology system by July 1, 2020, to track complaints made against a licensee and any disciplinary actions taken;
  • requiring the DHS to develop or procure a secure online central registry by July 1, 2020 to register patients treated in a substance use disorder treatment program; and
  • repealing references to research as a regulated activity under the act.
06:26:59 PM  
Cristen Bates, Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.


06:34:38 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment G).
Moved Pettersen
Seconded
Crowder
Smallwood
Winter
Pettersen
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


06:34:59 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.002 (Attachment H).
Moved Pettersen
Seconded
Crowder
Smallwood
Winter
Pettersen
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


06:35:30 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 19-219, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Pettersen
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


06:35:35 PM   The committee adjourned.






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