s_hhs_2017a_2017-02-09t13:32:32z0 Hearing Summary

Date: 02/09/2017

Location: LSB B

01:32 PM -- SB 17-084



Senator Jahn, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 17-084. The bill prohibits a health insurer in the individual and small group markets from excluding or limiting coverage for a drug for an individual if:

• the drug was covered at the time the individual enrolled in the health plan;
• a health care provider continues to prescribe the drug for the individual; and
• the drug is safe and effective, as determined by the prescribing health care provider.

In addition, a health insurer cannot increase a covered individual's copayment, coinsurance, or deductible for prescription drug benefits during the plan year or set limitations on maximum coverage for prescription drugs. If a health insurer uses a tiered formulary, it cannot move drugs to a disadvantaged tier if the three conditions listed above are met.



01:43 PM -- Dr. Robert Gross, University of Colorado School of Medicine, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Gross responded to questions from committee.



01:58 PM



Committee discussion and questions continued.



01:59 PM -- Charlie Sheffield, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in opposition to the bill.



02:05 PM -- Rachel Lee, CVS Health, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Lee responded to questions.



02:13 PM -- Patrick Boyle, Express Scripts, testified in opposition to the bill.



02:19 PM -- Denese Clark, Kaiser Permanente, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Clark responded to questions from the committee.



02:28 PM -- Marc Reese, Aetna Health Insurance, testified in opposition to the bill. Mr. Reese responded to questions from the committee.



02:37 PM -- Virginia Morrison Love, America's Health Insurance Plans, testified in opposition to the bill. Ms. Morrison Love responded to questions from the committee.



02:48 PM -- Dr. Lynn Parry, Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Perry responded to questions from the committee.



02:53 PM -- R.J. Ours, American Cancer Society, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Ours responded to questions from the committee.



02:58 PM -- Sharon O'Hara, National Multiple Sclerosis Society Colorado-Wyoming Chapter, testified in support of the bill.



03:07 PM -- Mr. Sheffield returned to the table and responded to committee questions.



03:09 PM -- Diane Robinson, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Robinson responded to questions from the committee.





03:15 PM



The committee recessed.



03:29 PM



The committee reconvened. Senator Jahn made closing comments.



03:35 PM



Committee members commented on the bill. Amendments L.004 (Attachment A), L.005 (Attachment B), and L.006 (Attachment C) were distributed to the committee.



170209 AttachA.pdf170209 AttachB.pdf170209 AttachC.pdf