H_HI_2019A 01/16/2019 01:32:45 PM Committee Summary

Representative Lontine called the meeting to order and went over the committee's agenda.

Erin Reynolds, Legislative Council Staff, presented to the committee on the functions of the fiscal notes staff.

Yelana Love, Office of Legislative Legal Services (OLLS), presented to the committee on the functions of the OLLS.

Representative Lontine described a committee procedure memorandum that was distributed to committee members (Attachment A).

Representatives Landgraf and Mullica, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1010 to the committee.  The bill creates a new facility license for freestanding emergency departments and requires such facilities to be licensed by the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) by July 1, 2022.

Representatives Mullica and Landgraf responded to committee questions.  Ms. Reynolds returned to the table to respond to questions about the fiscal note.

Representative Lontine proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Carol Pace, AARP Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Randy Kuykendall, CDPHE, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Kuykendall responded to committee questions.

Andrea Stojsavljevic, Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Joshua Ewing, Colorado Hospital Association, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Ewing responded to committee questions.

Jeff Thompson, UC Health, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Mullica discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

Representative Landgraf and Mullica gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Kennedy presented House Bill 19-1001 to the committee.  The bill directs the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to work in consultation with the Colorado Healthcare Affordability and Sustainability Board to develop and prepare an annual report on uncompensated costs and categorical expenditures made by hospitals in the state (hospital expenditure report).  In addition to using publicly available data, each hospital in the state is required to provide HCPF with certain information outlined in the bill, including financial statements, operating expenses, and staffing information.  

Representative Kennedy responded to committee questions.  He distributed a handout and amendments L.001, L.004, L.005, L.006, L.007, L.008, L.009, and L.010 to the committee (Attachments C through L).    

Representative Lontine proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Katherine Mulready, Colorado Hospital Association, testified in a neutral capacity regarding the bill.  Ms. Mulready responded to committee questions.

Ms. Mulready continued to respond to committee questions.

John Bartholomew, HCPF, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Bartholomew responded to committee questions.

Robert Smith, Colorado Business Group on Health, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment M).  Mr. Smith responded to committee questions.  

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Representative Kennedy commented.

Neal Christensen, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Jessica Morgan, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Debra Judy, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill.

Ed Shackelford, representing himself, testified regarding the bill. Mr. Shackelford responded to committee questions.

Committee members discussed the strike below amendment.

Representative Kennedy gave concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented.