h_hie_2016a_2016-04-14t13:34:13z1 Hearing Summary

Date: 04/14/2016

05:11 PM -- HB 16-1374



Representative Ginal called the committee back to order. Representative McCann, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 16-1374. The bill requires freestanding emergency rooms to post notices throughout the facility indicating that the facility is a freestanding emergency room that provides emergency services to treat emergency medical conditions and that it is not an urgent care center or primary care provider. In addition, the bill requires freestanding emergency rooms to provide a written disclosure and explain its contents to patients following an initial examination that determines that the patient does not have an emergency medical condition.



This disclosure must include information about rates and fees, insurance network participation, billing by attending physicians and the facility, and the patient's ability to confer with his or her primary care physician or other primary care provider. The freestanding emergency room must obtain the patient's signature on the disclosure, provide the patient a copy, and maintain the disclosure in the patient's medical record. For the purposes of this bill, "freestanding emergency room" is defined as a licensed facility that provides emergency services in a facility, charges a facility fee, and is not attached to a hospital.



Representative McCann distributed a preamended version of the bill (Attachment G) and amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments H and I).



160414 AttachG.pdf160414 AttachH.pdf160414 AttachI.pdf



05:18 PM



Representative McCann answered questions from the committee.



05:21 PM -- Richard Marshall, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Marshall answered questions from the committee.



05:32 PM -- Dr. Nicole Dorotik, representing herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Dorotik answered questions for the committee.



05:42 PM -- Caitlin Westerson, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Westerson read a statement from Susie Martell.



05:47 PM -- Mike Dougherty, Colorado Higher Education Insurance Benefit Alliance Trust, testified on the bill.



05:52 PM



Representative McCann answered a question from the committee.



05:52 PM -- Jean Houston, Academy District 20, testified on the bill. Ms. Houston answered questions from the committee.



06:00 PM -- Tucker Anderson, Neighbors Health System, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Anderson answered questions from the committee.



06:36 PM -- Michele Moreau, representing herself, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill. Ms. Moreau answered questions from the committee.



06:49 PM -- Dr. David Friedenson, American College of Emergency Physicians and Colorado Medical Society, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. Friedenson answered questions from the committee.



07:10 PM -- Dr. Nicholas McLain, National Association of Freestanding Emergency Centers, testified in opposition to the bill. Dr. McLain answered questions from the committee.



07:14 PM -- Sara Orrange, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in a neutral capacity. Ms. Orrange answered questions from the committee.



07:21 PM -- Katherine Mulready, Colorado Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill. She provided two handouts (Attachments J and K) to the committee.



160414 AttachJ.pdf160414 AttachK.pdf



07:25 PM -- Ann McCullough, Colorado Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. McCullough answered questions from the committee.



07:33 PM



Ms. Mulready and Ms. McCullough answered questions from the committee.



07:51 PM



Representative McCann explained amendments L.001 and L.002. She answered questions from the committee.

07:57 PM



Representative McCann further explained amendment L.001. Representative McCann answered questions from the committee.

08:06 PM



Representative McCann made concluding remarks about the bill. Committee members made remarks about the bill.

08:21 PM



The committee adjourned.