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4AFA686E680D74AD87258C4C00721FA7 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB25-048

SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date Mar 13, 2025      
Location Old Supreme Court



SB25-048 - Referred to Senate Appropriations


02:46:33 PM  
Senator Michaelson Jenet, primary bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 25-048 which requires health benefit plans to cover lifestyle therapy, bariatric surgery, and anti-obesity medication for the treatment of chronic obesity and pre-diabetes. The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing must seek federal authorization to provide these treatments; and, if approved, notify members in writing about the availability of treatment.
03:00:33 PM  
Dr. Rebecca Andrick,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Christine
Fallabel, representing American Diabetes Association, testified in support
of the bill. Michael Conway, representing Division of Insurance, testified
in opposition to the bill. Dr. Carolynn Francavilla, representing Obesity
Medicine Association, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Adam Gilden,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.




Committee members
asked the panel questions.
03:12:49 PM  
Dr. Megan Kelsey,
representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the
bill. Djanne Smith, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified
in support of the bill. Tyler Garrett, representing themself, testified
in support of the bill.
03:23:12 PM  
Mr. Kevin McFatridge,
representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition
to the bill. Serena Nangia, representing themself, testified to amend the
bill. McKenna Ganz, representing The Eating Disorder Foundation and Colorado
Alliance for Size Equity, testified to amend the bill. Mr. Patrick Boyle,
representing Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, testified in opposition
to the bill.
Mrs.
Erin Meschke, representing themself, testified in opposition to the bill.

03:34:46 PM  
Ms. Tigress Osborn,
representing National Association to Advance Fat Acceptance (NAAFA), testified
to amend the bill. Dr. Erin Harrop, representing themself, testified to
amend the bill. Mr. Richard Cimino, representing Peak Health Alliance,
testified to amend the bill. Mr. Bennett Rutledge, representing themself,
testified in opposition to the bill.
03:44:27 PM  
Aleia Mastroianni,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Jocelyn Miller,
representing Metro Caring, testified in support of the bill. Roberta Molock,
representing Metro Caring, testified in support of the bill. Eric Morris,
representing Metro Caring, testified in support of the bill.
03:55:41 PM  
Teddy McCullough,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Linda Shapiro
Manning, representing Obesity Action Coalition, testified in support of
the bill. Bettina Schneider, representing Colorado Health Care Policy and
Financing Department, was available to answer committee questions. Dr.
Gillian Lee, representing themself, testified in support of the bill. Ms.
Jovita Schiffer, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.




Additional written
testimony was submitted to the committee (Attachment F).
04:05:43 PM  
The committee recessed.
04:11:19 PM  
The committee resumed.
04:11:28 PM  
Senator Michaelson Jenet provided closing remarks.
04:13:17 PM  
Committee members provided closing remarks.


04:22:59 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 25-048 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Michaelson Jenet
Seconded
Bright No
Carson No
Cutter Excused
Daugherty Yes
Frizell No
Jodeh Yes
Weissman Yes
Michaelson Jenet Yes
Mullica Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 3   EXC: 1   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






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