s_hhs_2016a_2016-03-24t13:30:26z4 Hearing Summary

Date: 03/24/2016

03:40 PM -- SB16-170



Senator Tate, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 16-170. This bill authorizes HCPF to purchase individual insurance on the Colorado health benefit exchange (Connect for Health Colorado) for an individual who is eligible for Medicaid but who chooses not to receive Medicaid, if the individual's enrollment in private health insurance will save the state money. The bill requires HCPF to work with a stakeholder group to develop waivers and to apply to the federal Department of Health and Human Services for all waivers necessary to receive federal funds to subsidize the insurance premiums, co-deductibles, co-insurance, and co-pays for Medicaid-eligible individuals choosing to receive private insurance via the exchange. The stakeholder group will include Connect for Health Colorado, Medicaid recipients and advocates for recipients, counties, and providers. The waivers must be submitted to the federal Department of Health and Human Services by January 1, 2017. If the waivers are approved, HCPF is required to offer individual insurance in cases where costs savings can be realized. If the waivers are not approved, the bill will not be implemented. Finally, the bill requires Connect for Health Colorado to provide information to the public about the process created by the bill.



03:42 PM -- Bethany Pray, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified against the bill.



03:46 PM -- Cindy Sovine Miller, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:51 PM -- Sherry Dyckman, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.



03:54 PM -- Marivel Klueckman, HCPF, and David Smith, HCPF, responded to questions from the committee.



04:04 PM



Committee discussion and questions followed.



04:08 PM



Senator Martinez Humenik laid the bill over to a future date.