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H_HI_2021A 04/09/2021 12:07:23 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & INSURANCE
Date 04/09/2021
Attendance
Baisley X
Williams D. X
Jodeh X
Kennedy X
Kipp X
McCormick X
McKean X
Mullica X
Ortiz X
Soper X
Van Beber X
Caraveo X
Lontine X
Time 12:07:23 PM to 10:14:26 PM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Lontine
This Report was prepared by Julia Group
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB21-1232 Lay Over

HB21-1232 - Lay Over

12:07:39 PM  
Representative Roberts,
bill co-sponsor, presented HB21-1232.  The bill directs the Commissioner
of Insurance to develop a standardized health insurance plan that may be
offered by health insurance carriers.  Carriers are encouraged to
offer the standardized plan, and required to set goals for reducing premiums.
 The Colorado Option Authority is created as a nonprofit public entity
to offer health insurance if carriers do not meet premium reduction goals.




Standardized health insurance plan.  
By January 1, 2022, the commissioner
must establish, by rule, a standardized health insurance plan that can
be offered by private health insurance carriers in the individual and small
group markets.  The plan must offer coverage at the bronze, silver,
and gold coverage levels, and include all essential health benefits.  The
plan may be updated annually.



Beginning January 1, 2023, insurance carriers are encouraged to offer the
standardized plan in any zip code where they currently offer coverage in
the individual and small group markets.  Each carrier that offers
a standardized plan is required to set a goal of offering the plan at a
premium rate that is below the 2021 rate for health insurance plans offered
by the carrier in that respective market by at least 10 percent in 2023
and 20 percent in 2024.  Cost-shifting from the standardized plan
to another plan that requires state approval is prohibited.



Colorado Option health insurance.  
The Colorado Option Authority
is created as a nonprofit unincorporated public entity to operate as a
health insurance carrier.  The Authority must offer individual and
small group market health insurance (referred to as the Colorado Option)
if all carriers fail to meet the premium rate reduction goals described
above.  Implementation and operation of the Authority is contingent
upon federal approval and receipt of federal funds.



The Authority is defined as an instrumentality of the state; except that
debts and liabilities of the Authority do not constitute debts and liabilities
of the state.  The Authority is not a state agency.  It is governed
by a 9-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Senate.
 The board must appoint an advisory committee to make recommendations
concerning the Colorado Option.




Provider participation
and reimbursement.  
Health care providers are required to accept
patients who are enrolled in any Colorado Option plan offered by the Authority.
 Failure to do so is deemed grounds for professional discipline.  Providers
will be reimbursed according to a schedule established in rule by the commissioner.
 The reimbursement schedule must be designed to achieve at least 20
percent premium reductions for 2025 plans relative to plans offered by
carriers in 2021.  The schedule may account for circumstances of hospitals
and providers that serve uninsured individuals or those covered by other
public health insurance plans; these providers may be reimbursed at modified
rates or exempted from the reimbursement schedule.  The schedule must
be available to other health plans, as determined by the commissioner.
 



Federal waiver.  
The commissioner must seek a State Innovation
Waiver from the federal Department of Health and Human Services to implement
the bill and to identify savings to the federal government attributable
to the bill.  Upon approval of the federal government, a portion of
the savings generated may be passed through to the state.  This pass-through
funding may be used for the establishment of the Authority and for the
Colorado Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise to increase the value,
affordability, quality, and equity of health care coverage in Colorado.




Repeal.
 The Authority is repealed if a national public option
program is established that meets or exceeds premium reduction goals defined
in the bill.  



The sponsors discussed a powerpoint with the committee which can be found
in Attachment A.



Additional handouts distributed to the committee can be found in Attachment
B.
12:10:41 PM  
Representative Jodeh, bill co-sponsor, continued with opening remarks on the bill.
12:15:02 PM  
Representative Roberts continued with opening remarks on the bill.
12:26:16 PM  
Representative Jodeh continued with opening remarks on the bill.
12:30:30 PM  
The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.
12:54:31 PM  
Max Nardo, Fiscal
Analyst, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee.
12:56:58 PM  
The bill sponsors continued to respond to questions from the committee.
01:00:37 PM  
Dr. Mark Conklin, representing Panorama Orthopedic and Spine Center, testified in opposition to the bill. The witness responded to questions from the committee.
01:10:49 PM  
Adam Fox, representing Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill. Karla GonzalesGarcia, representing Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity and Reproductive Rights, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
01:22:20 PM  
Sarita Parikh, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Chester Cedars, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Jeff Rogoff, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ross Brooks, representing Mountain Family Health Centers, testified in support of the bill. The panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
01:41:01 PM  
Shawn Satterfield, representing Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Katharine Knarreborg, representing Merlin Instrument Company, Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Erin Miller, representing Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill. Sandra Payne, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. The panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
01:56:16 PM  
Ms. Jeanine Prescott,
representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
02:00:28 PM  
Dr. Carolyn Dresler, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Jennifer Roberts, representing Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Bethany Pray, representing Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill. The previous witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
02:15:49 PM  
Commissioner Tamara
Pogue, representing Counties and Commissioners Acting Together/Summit County,
testified in support of the bill.  Laura Packard, representing herself,
testified in support of the bill.  Commissioner Beth Melton, representing
Counties and Commissioners Acting Together, testified in support of the
bill.  The panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
02:40:40 PM  
Josh Ewing, representing
Colorado Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill.  Dr.
Rob Vissers, representing Boulder Community Hospital, testified in opposition
to the bill.  The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
02:58:59 PM  
Jeff Krawcek, representing
Kaiser-Permanente, testified in opposition to the bill.  Amanda Massey,
representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition
to the bill.  The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
03:17:13 PM  
Gary Arnold, representing Pipefitters Local 208, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Chris Brown, representing Common Sense Institute, testified in a neutral position on the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
03:33:52 PM  
Dr. Reggie Washington,
representing Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children, testified in opposition
to the bill.  Zach Zaslow, representing Children's Hospital Colorado,
testified in opposition to the bill.  The witnesses responded to questions
from the committee.
03:52:57 PM  
Lauren Masias, representing Colorado Competitive Council, testified in opposition to the bill. Janie Wade, representing SCL Health, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
04:07:50 PM  
Dean Sanpei, representing
Centura, testified in opposition to the bill.  Katie Wolf, representing
Colorado Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.  The
witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
04:24:57 PM  
Anneliese Steel, representing Colorado Concern, testified in opposition to the bill. Debbie Brown, representing Colorado Business Roundtable, testified in opposition to the bill.
04:42:20 PM  
Terry Peltes, representing
Panorama Orthopedics and Spine and affiliated companies, testified in opposition
to the bill.  Maria Fenwick, representing Service Employees International
Union Local 105, testified to amend the bill. Miranda Motter, representing
America's Health Insurance Plans, testified in opposition to the bill.
Dave Davia, representing Rocky Mountain Mechanical Contractors Association,
testified in opposition to the bill.   Laura Rizzo, representing Denver
Metro Chamber of Commerce, testified in opposition to the bill.  
Tony Gagliardi, representing National Federation of Independent Business,
testified in opposition to the bill.
05:04:03 PM  
Dr. Richard Zane, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Margaret Reidy, representing UCHealth, testified in opposition to the bill. Brenda Higgins, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
05:21:41 PM  
Mrs. Judy Vick, representing
Lincoln Health, Lincoln Community Hospital, testified in opposition to
the bill.  Mrs. Patsy Tompkins, representing herself, testified in
opposition to the bill.  Dr. Mitch Seemann, representing himself,
testified in opposition to the bill.  Dr. Earl Abel, representing
himself, testified in opposition to the bill.  The panelists responded
to questions from the committee.
05:43:14 PM  
Dr. Mark Johnson, representing Colorado Medical Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Patrick Pevoto, representing Colorado Medical Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Lonnie Loutzenhiser, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Amit Agarwala, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
06:01:11 PM  
Dr. Ron Pelton, representing Colorado Society of Eye Physicians and Surgeons, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Gary Ghiselli, representing Colorado Orthopaedic Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Armodios Hatzidakis, representing Western Orthopaedics PC, testified in opposition to the bill. The panel responded to questions from the committee.
06:24:34 PM  
Dr. Chris Linares, representing Colorado Medical Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Alison Sandberg, representing Colorado Radiological Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. John Froelich, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.
06:35:58 PM  
Mr. Kevin Stansbury, representing Lincoln Health, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Chris Thomas, representing Community Hospital, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Dave Ressler, representing Aspen Valley Hospital/Valley Health Alliance, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Bryan Johnson, representing St. Mary's Medical Center - SCL Health, testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
07:01:43 PM  
Mr. John Leavitt,
representing The Colorado Network, Inc., testified in opposition to the
bill.  Jeff Keener, representing South Metro Denver Chamber, testified
in opposition to the bill.  Cathy Shull, representing Pro 15, testified
in opposition to the bill.  Meagan Fearing, representing Colorado
State Association of Health Underwriters, testified in opposition to the
bill.  The panel responded to questions from the committee.
07:24:35 PM  
Brad Niederman, representing
himself, testified in opposition to the bill.  Kara Donahoe, representing
Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters as a broker, testified
in opposition to the bill.  Jessica Bassan, representing herself,
testified in opposition to the bill.  Giuliana Day, representing herself,
testified in opposition to the bill.
07:40:34 PM  
Coalition Director
Angel Merlos, representing The LIBRE Initiative Colorado, testified in
opposition to the bill.  Mrs. Annick Pruett, representing herself,
testified in opposition to the bill.  Jaime Henning, representing
Northern Colorado Legislative Alliance, testified in opposition to the
bill.  Kenda Spaulding, representing Grand River Hospital District,
testified in opposition to the bill.  The witnesses responded to questions
from the committee.
08:03:23 PM  
Former Speaker Lola
Spradley, representing Colorado Rural Health Coalition, testified in opposition
to the bill.  Dr. Melanie Baughn, representing herself, testified
in opposition to the bill.  Dr. Michael Horner, representing himself,
testified in opposition to the bill. The witnesses responded to questions
from the committee.
08:19:57 PM  
Mrs. Christine Bogott, representing Colorado State Association of Health Underwriters, testified in opposition to the bill. Richard Orf, representing Associated Governments of Northwest Colorado, testified in opposition to the bill.
08:27:19 PM  
The testimony of
Kelly Erb, Colorado Rural Health Center, was read into the record.  Dennis
Dougherty, representing Colorado AFL-CIO, testified to amend the bill.
 The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
08:44:35 PM  
The committee took a recess.
08:44:50 PM  
Mrs. Patricia Johnson-Gibson,
representing Service Employees International Union Local 105, testified
to amend the bill.  Mrs. Pascale Adou, representing Colorado Care
Worker's Unite, testified to amend the bill.  The witnesses responded
to questions from the committee.
08:52:23 PM  
Mrs. Alejandra Bautista,
representing Service Employees International Union  Local 105, testified
to amend the bill.  Jeannetta McCain, representing Service Employees
International Union Local 105, testified to amend the bill.  The witnesses
responded to questions from the committee.
08:59:00 PM  
Mr. Ron Ruggiero,
representing Service Employees International Union Local 105, testified
to amend the bill.  The testimony of Mrs. Paula Coleman, representing
Service Employees International Union Local 105, was read into the record.
09:06:44 PM  
Mrs. Maureen Hinkle, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Stephanie Salazar-Rodriguez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
09:15:19 PM  
Lindsey Vigoda, representing
Small Business Majority, testified in support of the bill.  Commissioner
Michael Conway, representing the Division of Insurance, testified in support
of the bill.  The panelists responded to questions from the committee.
09:38:35 PM  
Bianey Bermudez, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Beth Dombroski, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
09:46:19 PM  
Angelique Espinoza, representing Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill. Rachel Stewart, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.
09:53:33 PM  
Hillary Jorgenson,
representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.




Written testimony
submitted by the public can be found in Attachment C.
09:57:46 PM  
The committee took
a recess.
10:10:57 PM  
Representative Roberts
made closing comments and requested the Chair lay over the bill for action
only.
10:13:04 PM  
Representative Jodeh
made closing comments.
10:13:19 PM  
Representative Lontine
made closing comments and laid the bill over for action only on April 13,
2021.  


10:14:26 PM   The committee adjourned.






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