S_HHS_2019A 04/11/2019 01:37:39 PM Committee Summary

Dr. Daniel Pastula, appointee, told the committee about his professional background and why he wants to serve as a member of the board. The Governor's executive order and appointment letter may be found in Attachment B.  Dr. Pastula's application and resume may be found at the State Archives.

Dr. Evelinn Borrayo, appointee, told the committee about her background and why she wants to serve as a member the board.  The Governor's executive order and appointment letter may be found in Attachment B.  Dr. Borrayo's application and resume may be found at the State Archives.

Public testimony for Senate Bill 19-217 was heard at the committee's April 4, 2019, meeting.  After the testimony, Senator Fields laid the bill over for action only.

Senator Foote distributed and discussed amendments L.006, L007, L.021, L.022, and L.023 (Attachments C through G). Committee discussion followed.

Senator Pettersen discussed amendments L.018, L.019, and L.020 (Attachment H, I, and J).  Committee discussion followed.

Senator Fields recessed the meeting.

Senator Williams, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1211.  The bill establishes guidelines for health insurance carriers concerning the practice of prior authorization for medical procedures and drug benefits.  The requirements do not apply to a nonprofit health maintenance organization (HMO) with respect to managed care plans that provide a majority of covered professional services through a single contracted medical group.  The Commissioner of Insurance may adopt rules to implement the bill.

Dr. Kelly McMullen, Colorado Association of Family Physicians and Colorado Medical Society (CMS), testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Jonathan Clapp, CMS, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Eric Speer, CMS, testified in support of the bill.

Brenda Hulbert, Colorado Group Management Association and CMS, testified in support of the bill.

Wendy Spirek, Children's Eye Physicians, testified in support of the bill.

Christine Russell, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Ed Shackelford, Aging Adults Analytics, testified in support.

Marilyn Rissmiller, CMS, responded to questions.

Senator Williams responded to questions.

Senator Pettersen and Senator Gonzales, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-227 and distributed amendments L.001, L.002, L.003, and L.004 (Attachments L through O).  The bill creates and expands programs and funding related to substance use disorder treatment.

Erin Reynolds, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions about the fiscal note and the impact the proposed amendments will have on the fiscal note.

Committee discussion and questions followed.

Cristen Bates, Colorado Department of Human Services (DHS), responded to questions from the committee. Committee discussion and questions followed with Ms. Reynolds and Ms. Bates.

Ms. Bates testified in support of the bill.

Committee questions followed.

Lisa Raville, Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill.

Kristin Karas, DanceSafe, testified in support of the bill.

Nancy VanDemark, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Robert Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill and commented on Senate Bill 19-228.

Emilia Long, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Shawn Coleman, Drug Policy Alliance, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Fields permitted Dr. Valuck to testify on Senate Bill 19-228. He testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Valuck and Senator Pettersen responded to committee questions.

Trina Faatz, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

River Quarterman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Margaret McConnellogue, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Dr. Dale Terasaki, Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Pettersen and Gonzales made closing comments.

Senator Pettersen discussed amendment L.001 (Attachement L ).

Senator Pettersen discussed amendment L.002 (Attachment M).

Senators Gonzales and Pettersen made closing remarks.

Senator Winter, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-228.  The bill provides funding for the implementation of several programs for the prevention of opioid and other substance use disorders.

Kaycee Headrick, Boys and Girls Clubs of Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion followed.

Jamie Feld, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.

Amendments L.001, L.002, L.004, and L.006 were distributed to the committee (Attachments P through S).  Cristen Bates, DHS, discussed DHS' position on the amendments.

Erin Reynolds, LCS, responded to questions on the fiscal note for the bill.

Dr. Dale Terasaki, Colorado Society of Addiction Medicine, testified in support of the bill.

Nancy VanDemark, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Trina Faatz, Boulder County Public Health, testified in support of the bill.

Meghan Dollar, Colorado Municipal League, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Will French, Colorado Veterinarian Association, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

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

Mila Long, Boulder County Substance Use Advisory Group, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Winter and Moreno made closing remarks.

Senator Crowder commented on the bill.

Committee discussion followed.