H_PHC_2017A 02/14/2017 Committee Summary

01:34 PM -- HB 17-1135



Representative Bridges, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1135 to the committee. The bill allows a child care worker in licensed child care facilities to undergo a single records check of the state child abuse and neglect database if he or she works at multiple facilities or is transferred between facilities that are wholly owned, operated, and controlled by a common ownership group or school district. Under current law, child care workers must undergo this child abuse and neglect records check for each licensed facility in which they work. A handout was distributed to the committee (Attachment A).



170214 AttachA.pdf



01:38 PM -- Erin Mewhinney, Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.





01:40 PM



Representative Bridges responded to questions from the committee. Committee members discussed the bill.

01:47 PM -- HB 17-1143



Representative Landgraf, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1143 to the committee. The bill requires the Office of the State Auditor (OSA) to conduct performance audits of client communications concerning eligibility for Medicaid programs. These audits will be conducted in 2020 and 2023, with any future audits occurring at the discretion of the state auditor. These audits will encompass communications generated both inside and outside of the Colorado Benefits Management System.



The performance audits will determine whether client communications comply with state and federal requirements, and review the understandability, readability, and accuracy of client communications. As a part of these audits, OSA will review available county data related to communications received by Medicaid clients. The OSA will report audit findings and recommendations to various committees.



01:50 PM



Representative Landgraf distributed amendment L.001 (Attachment B) to the committee.



170214 AttachB.pdf











01:50 PM -- Zach Lynkiewicz, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, came to the table to explain amendment L.001 (Attachment B) to the committee. Mr. Lynkiewicz responded to questions from the committee.



01:55 PM



Representative Landgraf responded to questions from the committee.



01:56 PM -- Dianne Ray, OSA, responded to questions from the committee. Auditor Ray responded to questions from the committee.



01:59 PM



Representative Landgraf responded to additional questions from the committee.



02:02 PM -- Jack Regenbogen, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill and distributed handouts to the committee (Attachments C and D).



170214 AttachC.pdf170214 AttachD.pdf



02:06 PM -- Julie Reiskin, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

02:09 PM



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

02:12 PM -- HB 17-1126



Representative Danielson, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1126 to the committee. The bill requires administrative law judges to review the legal sufficiency of Medicaid notices of action when a client appeals a termination or reduction in benefits (adverse action). The legal review of notices will take place at the start of an appeal. If the administrative law judge determines that the notice is not legally sufficient, he or she shall inform the client that the adverse action may be set aside. The client may then ask the administrative law judge to decide the case in his or her favor on the basis of the insufficient notice. Alternately, the client may waive his or her defense on the basis of insufficient notice and request that the appeal proceed to a hearing on the merits of the case. Administrative law judges must inform clients that the HCPF may issue a legally sufficient notice in the future and that the client may be required to repay any benefits received, as provided under current law, if the adverse action is upheld after the new notice is issued.



02:17 PM



Representative Danielson responded to committee questions regarding the bill.

















02:21 PM -- Julie Reiskin, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill and distributed handouts to the committee (Attachment E and F). Ms. Reiskin responded to questions from the committee. Representative Singer commented.



170214 AttachE.pdf170214 AttachF.pdf



02:31 PM



Committee members dialogued with Ms. Reiskin regarding Medicaid notices.



02:32 PM -- Joelle Brouner, herself, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Brouner responded to questions from the committee. Representative Danielson commented.



02:44 PM -- Matt Azer, Office of Administrative Courts, testified in a neutral capacity. Judge Azer responded to questions from the committee regarding legal sufficiency of notices.



02:54 PM



Judge Azer continued to respond to committee questions. Representative Singer commented on the Colorado Benefits Management System.



03:02 PM -- Jack Regenbogen, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support of the bill.







03:07 PM



Representative Danielson gave concluding remarks.

03:13 PM -- HB 17-1129



Representative Danielson, prime sponsor, presented House Bill 17-1129 to the committee. The bill clarifies that Medicaid benefits must automatically continue without requiring an affirmative request by a client who is appealing a termination or reduction in benefits, and HCPF must send the client written confirmation of the continuing benefits. The electronic filing form for appeals must include a check box or other method to opt out of continuing benefits, to request an accommodation for submitting an appeal or participating in a hearing, or to request dispute resolution. The electronic appeals website must additionally allow for the attachment of as many documents as necessary to support the appeal.





No witnesses testified on this bill.

03:15 PM



Representative Singer adjourned the meeting.