S_HHS_2018A 02/15/2018 01:34:42 PM Committee Summary

Senator Todd, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-074.  The bill adds individuals with Prader-Willi syndrome to the list of people who have mandatory eligibility for services and supports under Medicaid.

Martha Mason, representing herself, testified in support of the bill via the remote testimony location at Ft. Lewis College in Durango.  Ms. Mason responded to questions from the committee

Dr. Todd Porter, Children's Hospital Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Martin Zimmerman, Prader-Willi Syndrome Association of Colorado (PWSACO), testified in support of the bill and read a letter supporting the bill written by Crystal Redner, representing herself.  Mr. Zimmerman provided a packet of information to the committee (Attachment A).

Charlotte Peterson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Robin Grey, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Grey responded to questions.

Stacie Zimmerman, PWSACO, testified in support of the bill.

Mark Greenberg, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Johnson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Laura Harmacek, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Zach Lynkiewicz, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  Mr. Lynkiewicz responded to questions.

Mr. Lynkiewicz responded to questions.

Senator Todd made closing comments.  Amendment L.001 was distributed to the committee (Attachment B).

The committee discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment B).

Senator Kefalas, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-084.  The bill clarifies that a minor who commits behavior that would be considered prostitution if committed as an adult is a victim of human trafficking and requires that these minors be referred for care and services. 

Amendments L.002 and L.004 were distributed to the committee (Attachment C and D).

Arnold Hanuman, Colorado District Attorneys' Council, Office of the Attorney General, and Colorado Municipal League, testified against the bill.

Stephanie Fritts, 17th Judicial District, testified against the bill.

Kelley Dziedzic, 18th Judicial District, testified against the bill.

Ms. Fritts, Ms. Dziedzic, and Mr. Hanuman responded to questions.

The committee dialogued with the witnesses and Senator Kefalas.

Jennifer Anderson, Colorado Attorney General's Office, testified against the bill.

Mike Valentine, Arapahoe County, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Kelly Dore, National Human Trafficking Survivor Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Billie McIntire, Swan Counseling Services, testified in support of the bill.  Committee discussion followed.

Cynthia Camble, Loving Our Children, testified in support of the bill.

Linda Weinerman, Office of the Child's Representative, testified in support of the bill.

Alexandra Erickson, Human Trafficking Center, testified in support of the bill.

Maureen Cain, Colorado State Public Defender's Council, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Cain responded to questions.

Senator Smallwood recessed the meeting.

Senator Smallwood reconvened the meeting.

Ms. Cain and Ms. Weinerman responded to questions from the committee.

Jeremy Fuerte, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Bendtsen, Shared Hope International, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Bendtsen responded to questions.

Senator Kefalas made closing comments and discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment C) and L.004 (Attachment D).

Senator Martinez Humenik distributed and discussed amendment L.005 (Attachment E).  Committee discussion followed regarding the amendments.

Senator Smallwood, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-132.  The bill requires the Commissioner of Insurance to pursue a federal waiver to allow all Coloradans to purchase catastrophic health plans through the state health insurance exchange. 

 

Amendment L.001 was distributed to the committee (Attachement F).

R.J. Ours, American Cancer Society, testified against the bill.

Peg Brown, Colorado Division of Insurance, responded to questions from the committee.

Kate Harris, Connect for Health Colorado, responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Smallwood made closing comments and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment F).

Senator Smallwood, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-161.  This bill repeals the Behavioral Health Transformation Council in the Department of Human Services which is set to repeal under current law on July 1, 2020.

Committee discussion followed.

Camille Harding, Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Martinez Humenik, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-023.  Under federal law, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is responsible for approving pharmaceutical products that may be sold in the United States, and the FDA approval process focuses on a specific use of the drug in treating a specific condition or conditions.  This bill defines "off-label use" as the use of an FDA-approved prescription drug, biological product, or device in a manner other than the use approved by the FDA.  Under the bill, pharmaceutical manufacturers and their representatives are allowed to truthfully promote off-label uses of pharmaceutical products.  The State Board of Pharmacy is prohibited from taking disciplinary action against a manufacturer for promoting off-label uses, including revoking or failing to renew a manufacturer's license.  The bill specifies that health insurance carriers and other third-party payers are not required to provide coverage for the cost of off-label uses of a prescription drug, biological product, or device.

Diane Robinson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Martinez Humenik made closing comments.  She requested that the bill be postponed indefinitely.