S_HHS_2023A 04/12/2023 10:28:07 AM Committee Summary

Senator Exum, prime
bill sponsor, re-presented House Bill 23-1024 concerning measures to increase
family resiliency through providing greater supports and protections for
children placed with kin, including relatives, and, in connection therewith,
making an appropriation.



Written testimony
may be found in Attachment A.



Senator Exum distributed
a handout (Attachment B).

Senator Cutter and Senator Ginal, co-prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1067 concerning creating the Family and Community Intervener Program to support deafblind children and their families by providing the services of an intervener trained in deafblindness, building language and communication skills, and intervention strategies.

Ms. Megan Bowser,
representing Family Voices, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Wesley Bowser,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Cassandra
Waterbury, representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
made comments to the panel.

Cliff Moers, representing
Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.



Dr. Alice Burgess,
representing Colorado AAP, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Karen Roberts,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Christy Blakely,
representing Family Voices, testified in support of the bill. Ms. Blakely
provided a handout to the committee (Attachment D).



Committee members
provided comments to Ms. Blakely.

Prime bill sponsors provided closing remarks.

Senator Roberts, prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1002, concerning creating an epinephrine auto-injector affordability program in the Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA) to provide low-cost epinephrine auto-injectors to eligible individuals in the state. The bill outlines the individuals eligible to participate in the program and requires the Division of Insurance (DOI) within DORA to create an application form for the program. This form is to be made available and promoted on both the DOI and the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing’s (HCPF) websites, and each department can seek gifts, grants, and donations for this purpose. The bill requires that insurance carriers providing coverage for epinephrine auto-injectors must cap the total cost to the covered person at $60 for a 2-pack of the injectors. Additionally, pharmacies dispensing injectors through the affordability program are permitted to collect a copayment of no more than $60 for a 2-pack of injectors to cover their processing and dispensing costs. DORA may also use enforcement powers to ensure compliance and promulgate rules as necessary.

Committee members asked Senator Roberts questions.

Sam Gilman, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Isabel Cruz,
representing Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support
of the bill.



Zach Neumann,
representing Community Economic Defense Project, testified in support of
the bill. Zach Neumann distributed a handout to the committee (Attachment
E).



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Jackson Pugh, representing
themself, testified in a neutral position on the bill.



Keri Pugh, representing
themself, testified in support of the bill.



Michael Brzica,
representing Teva Pharmaceuticals, testified to amend the bill.



Dr. Ky Davis,
representing RxPlus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

The committee recessed.

Senator Roberts provided closing remarks.

Senator Roberts prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1002, concerning changes rate filling and disclosure requirements regarding the Colorado Standardized Health Benefit Plan, also known as the Colorado Option plan. These changes include:requiring Connect for Health Colorado, with the consent of the Commissioner of Insurance, to develop a format to display Colorado Option plans on the health insurance exchange and for consumers to easily compare plans;
· allowing the commissioner to establish limits on a carrier’s administrative costs and profits for Colorado Option plans;
· giving the commissioner 120 days to review rate fillings for Colorado Option plans instead of the current 60 days;
· requiring the commissioner to promulgate rules on the public hearing process; and
· making technical changes to the public hearing and rate denial process.

Adam Fox, representing
Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Erin Miller,
representing Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the
bill.



Rayna Hetlage,
representing Center for Health Progress, testified in support of the bill.



Britt Bermingham,
representing Centennial State Prosperity, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Danielle McQueen,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Tamara Pogue,
representing Counties & Commissioners Acting Together (CCAT), testified
in support of the bill.



Dr. Chet Cedars,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Jessalyn  Hampton
, representing Connect for Health Colorado, was available to answer committee
questions.

Ms. Katherine Mulready,
representing Colorado Hospital Association, testified to amend the bill.



Karlee Tebbutt,
representing AHIP, testified in opposition to the bill.



Jason Hopfer,
representing Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified to amend the
bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Mr. Michael Conway,
representing Colorado Division of Insurance, testified in support of the
bill. Additional written testimony may be found in Attachment I.



Committee members
asked Mr. Conway questions.