S_BLT_2018A 01/31/2018 01:12:42 PM Committee Summary

Senator Gardner introduced Senate Bill 18-065.  The bill adds health maintenance organizations to the Colorado Life and Health Protection Association and makes changes to association assessments and fees.

Chris Chandler, Life & Health Insurance Protection Association, spoke about the role of the association in consumer protection when insurers become insolvent in Colorado.  He provided a handout to the committee (Attachment A).

Mike Conway, Division of Insurance, came to the table to respond to questions from the committee.

Senator Gardner directed questions to Mr. Conway and Mr. Chandler. Committee discussion continued.

Jandel Allen Davis, Kaiser Permanente, spoke in opposition to the bill. She provided two handouts to the committee (Attachments B and C). She responded to questions from the committee.

Jackie Zheleznyak, Denver Health, spoke in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

Richard Rush, Kaiser Permanente, came to the table to respond to questions from the committee.

Cindy Palmer, Friday Health, spoke in opposition to the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

Amy Lazzaro, Cigna, spoke in support of the bill. She responded to questions from the committee.

Randi Reichel, United Healthcare, spoke in support of the bill. She provided a handout to the committee (Attachment D).

Marc Neely, United Healthcare, spoke in support of the bill.

Steve Fitzsimmons, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Gardner made closing comments on the merits of the bill and asked that the bill be laid over.

Senator Tate laid the bill over for action at a later date.

Senator Coram and Senator Sonnenberg introduced Senate Bill 18-002, concerning financing rural broadband development. The bill phases in additional funding from the High Cost Support Mechanism to support broadband deployment grants.

Senator Sonnenberg discussed the purpose of proposed amendment L.001 (Attachment E), amendment L.011 (Attachment F), amendment L.013 (Attachment G), amendment L.014 (Attachment H), and amendment L.015 (Attachment I).

Senator Williams discussed the purpose of amendment L.009 (Attachment J).

Jay Shore, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, spoke about the bill.

Bill Levis, AARP, spoke about the bill.

Tony Prendergast, representing himself, spoke about the bill. He responded to comments from the committee.

Jason Bronec, Delta Montrose Electric Association (DMEA), spoke in support of the bill.

William Patterson, TEI Rock Drills, spoke in favor of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee and made comments on the discussion.

Jack Johnston, Southeast Colorado Power, spoke in support of the bill.

Jon Saunders, SECOM, spoke in favor of the bill.

Senator Sonnenberg made comments on the preceding testimony.

Norm Steen, Colorado Counties, Inc., spoke about the bill.

Damon Lockhart, DMEA, spoke in favor of the bill.

Pete Kirchhof, Colorado Technology Association, spoke in support of the bill.

Jeff Weist, Colorado Cable Telecommunications Association, spoke in support of the bill. He responded to questions from the committee.

Bre Andrews, AFL-CIO, spoke about the bill.

Tim Goodwin, Century Link, spoke about the bill and proposed amendments. He responded to questions from the committee.

Jordan Beezley, Department of Regulatory Agencies, made himself available to the committee for questions. He responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Copeland responded to questions from the committee.

Brian Shepherd, Office of Information Technology, responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Sonnenberg responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Copeland responded to questions from the committee.

Mr. Beezley responded to questions from the committee.

Committee discussion continued with the sponsors and Mr. Beezley and Ms. Copeland.

Lynn Notarianni, Public Utilities Commission, responded to questions from the committee.