404E905425DD816387258280006E70AB Hearing Summary

Senator Kefalas, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1212. This bill requires the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) to create a new health facility license for freestanding emergency departments and begin issuing these licenses by December 1, 2020.  To continue operating in the state, freestanding emergency departments must be licensed by the CDPHE by July 1, 2021, except that certain facilities in rural areas that are exempted by the CDPHE may continue to operate under the existing community clinic license type.  Senator Kefalas distributed amendments L.008 and L.010 [Attachments A and B].

Josh Ewing, representing the Colorado Hospital Association, testified in support of the bill with amendments L.008 and L.010.

Diane Robinson, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Kefalas explained the amendments and asked for a favorable recommendation on the bill.