H_PBH_2023A 05/05/2023 05:19:57 PM Committee Summary

Representative Bockenfield and Representative McCormick, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-298, allowing certain public hospitals to improve access to health care through collaboration. The bill exempts hospitals with fewer than 50 beds from select antitrust requirements for the purpose of improving healthcare access in rural or frontier communities. A handout was provided to the committee (Attachment A). The bill sponsors responded to questions from the committee.

Kim Bimestefer, representing
the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support
of the bill.



Kevin Stansbury,
representing Lincoln Health and the Eastern Plains Healthcare Consortium,
testified in support of the bill.



The panelists
responded to questions from the committee.

Representative Bockenfield and Representative McCormick provided concluding remarks on the bill.

Representative Titone,
prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-299, concerning the requirement
to acquire epinephrine auto-injectors for placement at institutions of
higher education.  The bill requires institutions of higher education
(IHEs) to stock a supply of epinephrine auto-injectors (injectors) in student
housing facilities and cafeterias. IHEs are encouraged to store these injectors
in sufficient quantities and at an emergency public access station. IHEs
must accept any donations of injectors that meet federal standards. A person
who uses injectors in good faith on another person believed to be experiencing
anaphylaxis is not liable for civil damages.




Representative
Titone responded to questions from the committee.

Jessica Meegan, representing
herself, testified in support of the bill.



Andy Kerr, representing
himself, was available to answer committee questions.



Committee members
commented on the testimony provided.