H_HIE_2018A 03/08/2018 02:17:59 PM Committee Summary

Lisa Ku, representing Colorado Genetic Councelors, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Walton and Ms. Ku responded to committee questions.

Caley Kurchinski, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Maria Ostlins, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Hunt, representing the Colorado Chapter of Little People of America, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Mark Lovell, representing Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Lynn Parry, representing the Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill.  

Dr. Benke, Dr. Lovell, and Dr. Parry responded to committee questions.

Jeanette Hensley, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Mary Freivogel, representing the Colorado Genetic Councelors Network, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Freivogel responded to committee questions.

Representative Esgar concluded witness testimony.

Representative Ginal distributed and explained amendment L.001 to the committee [Attachment A].

Representatives Ginal and Buckner responded to questions concerning the amendment and the bill.

Representatives Buckner and Ginal made closing remarks.

Representatives Ginal and Jackson, bill sponsors, explained House Bill 18-1260 to the committee.  The bill requires health insurers and drug manufacturers to report certain information to the Department of Regulatory Agencies.  The bill sponsors distributed a handout [Attachment B].

Representatives Ginal and Jackson responded to committee questions.

Caitlin Westerson, representing the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill and distributed a document [Attachment C].

Bethany Pray, representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Westerson and Ms. Pray responded to committee questions.  Representatives Ginal and Jackson responded to committee questions.

Dana Malick, representing the Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed documents [Attachments D and E].

April Giles, representing the Colorado Bioscience Association, testified in opposition to the bill.  Ms Giles distributed a document [Attachment F].

Kara Miller, representing Biotechnology Innovation Organization, testified in opposition to the bill.  Ms. Miller distributed documents [Attachment G and H]. 

Ms. Malick and Ms. Giles responded to committee questions.

Kristi Pollard, representing the Jefferson County Economic Development Corporation, testified in opposition to the bill.

Jennifer Churchfield, representing Front Range Pharmalogic, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Pollard responded to committee questions.

Brenda Gleason, representing Pfizer Inc., testified in opposition to the bill.

Carleen McGuffey, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Ms. Gleason and Ms. McGuffey responded to committee questions.

Gail DeVore, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Brandt Wilkins, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. DeVore and Mr. Wilkins responded to committee questions.  Ms. DaVore distributed a document [Attachment I].

Amy Duckro, representing herself, testified in support of bill.  Mr Duckro distributed a document [Attachment J].

Emily Zadvorny, representing the Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the bill.

Alice Gibbs, representing the Colorado Community Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Natalie Wood, representing the Bell Policy Institute, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Wood distributed a document [Attachment K].

Ed Shackelford, representing the Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Shackelford distributed documents [Attachment L and M].

Alyson Williams, representing Health District of Northern Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Kelly Erb, representing Colorado Rural Health, testified in support of the bill.

Joan Green Turner, representing the Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Virginia Morrison Love, representing America's Health Insurance Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Love and Ms. Turner responded to committee questions.

Brad Young, representing Rx Plus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill if amended.

Hillary Jurgensen, representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Esgar concluded witness testimony.

Representatives Ginal and Jackson responded to questions concerning the amendment.

Representatives Jackson and Ginal made closing remarks.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Roberts, bill sponsor, explained House Bill 18-1205 to the committee.  The bill creates a financial assistance program for individuals and families purchasing health insurance through Connect for Health Colorado in high-cost areas of the state.  Representative Roberts distributed a document [Attachment  O]. 

Representative Roberts responded to committee questions.

Joe Hanel, representing the Colorado Health Institute, testified in a neutral capacity on the bill.  Mr. Hanel responded to committee questions.

Randy Wheelock, representing Clear Creek County, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Wheelock distributed documents [Attachments P and Q].

Richard Cimino, representing Grand County, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Wheelock and Mr. Cimino responded to committee questions.

Gini Pingenot, representing Colorado Counties Inc., testified in support of the bill.

Natalie Wood, representing The Bell Policy Institute, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Wood distributed a document [Attachment R].

Representative Ginal concluded witness testimony.

Representative Landgraf distributed and explained amendment L.001 to the committee [Attachment S].  Committee discussion ensued.

Representative Roberts made closing remarks.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Representatives Kennedy and Rankin, bill sponsors, explained House Bill 18-1207 to the committee.  The bill directs the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to create an annual report on uncompensated costs and expenditures made by general hospitals.  Bill sponsors distributed documents to the committee [Attachments T and U].

Attachment U

Representatives Kennedy and Rankin responded to committee questions.  Committee discussion ensued.

Chris Tholen, representing the Colorado Hospital Association, testified in opposition to the bill.  Mr. Tholen responded to committee questions.

John Bartholomew, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Bartholomew responded to committee questions.

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

Hillary Jorgensen, representing Healthier Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Judy and Ms. Jorgensen responded to committee questions.

Nicholas Colglazier, representing the Colorado Competitive Council, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Ginal concluded witness testimony.

Representatives Kennedy and Rankin made closing remarks.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Representative Salazar, bill sponsor, explained House Bill 18-1179 to the committee.  The bill prohibits price gouging by pharmaceutical manufacturers and wholesalers and makes pharmaceutical price gouging a deceptive trade practice.

Representative Salazar responded to committee questions.

Peggi O'Keefe, representing Association of Accessible Medicines, testified in opposition to the bill.  Ms. O'Keefe responded to committee questions.

James Potter, representing the Colorado Foundation for Universal Healthcare, testified in support of the bill.  Mr. Potter distributed documents [Attachment V and W].

Representative Salazar distributed and explained amendment L.002 [Attachment X].

Representative Salazar made closing remarks.

Committee members commented on the bill.