Senators Gardner and Roberts opened on Senate Bill 23-298 regarding allowing public hospital collaboration agreements. The bill sponsors answered questions from the committee.

Mark Waller, representing the Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium, testified in support of the bill.

Executive Director Kim Bimestefer, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified to amend the bill.

Jefferey Riester, representing the Department of law, testified to amend the bill.

Special Financing Division Director Nancy Dolson, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, was available to answer committee questions.

Kelly Erb, representing the Colorado Rural Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Bridget Garcia, representing the Colorado Hospital Association, testified in support of the bill.

Members of the committee asked follow up questions.

The bill sponsors presented amendments L.001 (Attachment C), L.003 (Attachment D), L.004 (Attachment E), and L.005 (Attachment F).

The bill sponsors gave closing remarks on Senate Bill 23-298.