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S_HHS_2020A 05/27/2020 11:37:00 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 05/27/2020
Attendance
Crowder X
Ginal X
Smallwood X
Winter X
Fields X
Time 11:37:00 AM to 12:34:36 PM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Senator Fields
This Report was prepared by Elizabeth Haskell
Hearing Items Action Taken
Conf 20-Aging — Colorado Commission On The Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 20-Children's Trust Fund Board — Colorado Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 20-Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise- Colorado Favorably Refer to Full Senate
Conf 20-Medical Services Board Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 20-Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board — Colorado Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
Conf 20-University Of Colorado Hospital Authority — Board Of Directors Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar
HB20-1061 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB20-1103 Postponed Indefinitely
HB20-1183 Amended, referred to Senate Finance
HB20-1228 Postponed Indefinitely
HB20-1230 Referred to Senate Finance
HB20-1302 Referred to the Committee of the Whole
SB20-188 Postponed Indefinitely
SB20-195 Postponed Indefinitely
SB20-202 Postponed Indefinitely

X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
11:37:25 AM

Senator Fields made opening comments and announced that the committee will consider Governor appointments to the following boards:

  • Colorado Commission On The Aging
  • Colorado Children's Trust Fund Board
  • Colorado Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise
  • Medical Services Board
  • Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board
  • Board Of Directors University Of Colorado Hospital Authority

Senator Fields noted that the committee will consider the appointees in absentia.  The Governor's Executive Orders and letters, and the appointment letter from the Board of Rgents of the University of Colorado may be found in Attachment A.  The appointees applications and resumes may be found at the State Archives. 



Conf 20-Aging — Colorado Commission On The - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar




11:39:43 AM
Motion Refer the appointment of Susan Hansen to the Colorado Commission On Aging to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 20-Children's Trust Fund Board — Colorado - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar




11:40:29 AM
Motion Refer the appointment of Tiffany Perrin and Kathryn Wells to the Colorado Children's Trust Fund Board to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 20-Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise- Colorado - Favorably Refer to Full Senate




11:41:47 AM
Motion Refer the appointment of Robert Morasko and Scott Lindblom to the Colorado Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise
to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 20-Medical Services Board - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar




11:42:49 AM
Motion Refer the appointment of David Pump to the Medical Services Board to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 20-Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board — Colorado - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar




11:44:04 AM
Motion Refer the appointment of Jason Kacmarski, Jennifer Coker, Latoya Mize, and Angela Wickersham to the Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



Conf 20-University Of Colorado Hospital Authority — Board Of Directors - Favorably Refer to Full Senate - Consent Calendar




11:45:01 AM
Motion Refer the appointment of Richard Monfort to the University Of Colorado Hospital Authority Board Of Directors to the full Senate with a favorable recommendation and with a recommendation that it be placed on the consent calendar.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB20-1061 - Referred to Senate Appropriations


11:45:27 AM  

Senators Priola and Moreno, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1061. This bill allows pharmacists to prescribe and dispense HIV prevention medication if the pharmacist receives a standing order, as developed by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), or prescribes the medication in accordance with the statewide drug therapy protocol. When prescribing the medication, a pharmacist must:

  • hold a current license to practice in Colorado;
  • be engaged in the practice of pharmacy;
  • have earned a doctorate degree and have at least 5 years of practice experience;
  • carry adequate liability insurance; and
  • complete a training program accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education.

 

Six months after the effective date of the bill, the Board of Pharmacy, the Medical Board, and the Board of Nursing must develop a statewide drug therapy protocol. When creating the protocol, the boards must consider physician referrals, lab testing, appropriate referrals and counseling per federal guidelines, and patient follow-up care. Starting on June 1, 2020, the CDPHE must implement and maintain a standing order until the statewide drug therapy protocol is developed.

 

This bill also requires individual and group health benefit plans to provide coverage for HIV prevention medication prescribed by a pharmacist, except for integrated health delivery systems, which are exempt from the requirement. The carrier must provide the pharmacist an adequate consultative fee or dispensing fee and reimburse any in-network provider when prescribing and dispensing HIV prevention drugs. In addition, a carrier cannot require a patient to undergo step therapy or receive prior authorization before a pharmacist can prescribe and dispense a HIV infection drug.

11:49:51 AM  

Committee questions and discussion followed.

12:04:02 PM  

There was no in-person testimony on the bill.

The following individuals submitted written testimony on the bill (Attachment B):

Michael Crews, One Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Emily Zodvorny, Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the bill.



12:05:02 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 20-1061 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood No
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB20-1103 - Postponed Indefinitely


12:06:04 PM  

Senators Fields and Priola, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1103. The bill modifies mandatory insurance coverage provisions for colorectal cancer screening.  State regulated health insurance plans are currently required to provide coverage for colorectal cancer screening in accordance with the U.S. Preventing Services Task Force (USPSTF); the bill adds a requirement that coverage be available for people beginning at age 45.  In addition, for individuals at high risk for colon cancer, coverage must include a follow-up colonoscopy if results of a noninvasive test is abnormal.

There was no in-person testimony on the bill.

The following individuals submitted written testimony on HB 20-1103 (Attachment C):

Alba Wilson-Axpe, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Andrea  Dwye, Colorado Cancer Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Martha  Cox, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, testified in support of the bill.

 



12:13:32 PM
Motion Postpone House Bill 20-1103 indefinitely.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB20-1183 - Amended, referred to Senate Finance


12:14:33 PM  

Senator Ginal, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1183.  This bill extends the regulation of nurse aides until September 1, 2027, and makes the following changes:

  • relocates provisions related to certified nurse aides to the Nurse Practice Act;
  • modifies the grounds for discipline related to excessive use of alcohol and drugs;
  • changes the waiting period for recertification after a certificate is revoked to two years;
  • repeals the requirement that the State Board of Nurses send notifications of action taken by certified mail; and
  • clarifies that the regulation of certified nurse aides does not apply to a person directly employed by a medical facility for the first four months, if the employment is part of an approved training program and the certification is not through endorsement.

There was no in-person testimony on the bill. 

The following individual submitted written testimony on the bill (Attachment D):

David Bolin, Colorado Long-term Assistance Service Providers, testified in support of the bill.

12:15:46 PM  

Senator Ginal discussed amendment L.004 (Attachment E).



12:16:53 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.004 (Attachment E).
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Crowder
Ginal
Smallwood
Winter
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


12:18:13 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 20-1183, as amended, to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Ginal
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood No
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB20-1228 - Postponed Indefinitely




12:21:01 PM
Motion Postpone House Bill 20-1228 indefinitely.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB20-1230 - Referred to Senate Finance


12:21:24 PM  

Senator Fields, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 20-1230.  This bill continues the licensing of occupational therapists and assistants until September 1, 2030, and makes the following changes:

  • adds occupational therapy consultant and occupational therapy assistant to the list of titles a person can use if they are licensed in the state and allows occupational therapy assistants to use the abbreviation O.T.A. or C.O.T.A.;
  • clarifies that the law does not restrict the activities of a person fulfilling an occupational therapy doctoral capstone experience under appropriate supervision;
  • adds failing to make essential or falsifying entries on a patent record, committing abuse of health insurance, and committing a fraudulent insurance act to the grounds of discipline;
  • adds additional definitions concerning the scope of practice for occupational therapists; and 
  • reorganizes sections of statute and makes other technical changes.

There was no in-person testimony on the bill.

The following individuals submitted written testimony on House Bill 20-1230 (Attachment F):

Bailey LeBoeuf Johnson, Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Pam DiPasquale-Lehnerz, Occupational Therapy Association of Colorado. testified in support of the bill.



12:22:16 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 20-1230 to the Committee on Finance.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood No
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB20-1302 - Referred to the Committee of the Whole




12:27:33 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 20-1302 to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood Yes
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 4   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB20-188 - Postponed Indefinitely


12:29:00 PM  

Senator Fields, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-188.  The bill requires that health care facilities issue clear itemized statements or bills to patients beginning January 1, 2021.  Specifically, these documents must:

  • be issued within 30 days of a patient's discharge or within seven days of a written request;
  • not describe a billed charge with only medical billing codes, drug codes, or general terms, such as "miscellaneous charges;"
  • list specific services received and charges incurred;
  • denote which charges are paid or outstanding, including the due date and amount expected from the patient;
  • include services that may be billed separately;
  • specifically identify types of therapy received; and
  • display a telephone number for resolving billing disputes.

Health care facilities must also establish policies for responding to patients' questions regarding itemized statements or bills, and must respond to questions within seven days.  They are prohibited from charging a patient for preparation of the itemized statements or bills.

The State Board of Health, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Insurance and the Division of Professions and Occupations in the Department of Regulatory Agencies, must adopt rules that specify the contents of these documents, a patient's rights and payment obligations, and disclosure requirements of health care facilities.

There was no in-person or written testimony on this bill.

 

 



12:29:41 PM
Motion Postpone Senate Bill 20-188 indefinitely.
Moved Fields
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood No
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB20-195 - Postponed Indefinitely




12:30:00 PM
Motion Postpone Senate Bill 20-195 indefinitely.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood No
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB20-202 - Postponed Indefinitely




12:33:12 PM
Motion Postpone Senate Bill 20-202 indefinitely.
Moved Winter
Seconded
Crowder No
Ginal Yes
Smallwood No
Winter Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


12:34:36 PM   The committee adjourned.






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