S_HHS_2020A 02/06/2020 01:31:24 PM Committee Summary

Senator Ginal, bill sponsor, presented Senator Bill 20-107.  The bill requires the Department of Heath Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to gather data from state agencies and drug manufacturers on high-cost prescription drugs, and to analyze and report on this information to the General Assembly.

Senator Ginal responded to questions from the committee.

Committee questions continued.

Kim Bimestefer, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) responded to questions and testified in support of the bill.

Tom Leahey, HCPF, responded to questions.

Director Bimesterfer responded to committee questions.

Mr. Leahey and Director Bimestefer responded to questions. Committee questions continued.

The committee members continued to discuss the provisions of the bill with Director Bimesterfer.

Brian Warren, Bio, responded to questions and testified against the bill.

Emily Roberts, Colorado Bioscience Association, testified against the bill.

Katelin Lucariello, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, testified against the bill.

Senator Winter laid over Senate Bill 20-107 so that the committee could hear testimony on Senate Bill 20-033.

Senator Tate, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-033 and distributed a handout (Attachment A).  The bill authorizes working adults with disabilities who are over 65 years of age to continue participating in the existing Medical Buy-in Program if, in part, the working adult:

• is enrolled in or has applied for Medicare;
• is eligible for and receiving long-term care home-and community-based services or durable medical equipment as part of complex rehabilitative services or has extraordinary medical expenses as determined by rule of the Medical Services Board that are not covered by Medicare;
• except as specified in the bill, was continuously enrolled in and receiving services through the Medicaid Buy-in Program for at least one year immediately prior to attaining 65 years of age; and
• continues to meet the work requirements for the Medicaid Buy-in Program.

Julie Reiskin, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Christina Johnson, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Kelsey Lesco, Disability Law Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

 Curt Wolft, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions from the committee.

Moe Keller, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Colin Laughlin and Marivel Klueckman, HCPF, responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Tate made closing comments.

Senator Ginal laid Senate Bill 20-033 over until Wednesday, February 12 for action only.

Ana English, Center for Improving Value in Health Care (CIVHC), testified in support of the bill.

Venita Bahl, CIVHC, testified in support of the bill.

Karlee Tebbutt, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. English and Ms. Bahl responded to questions from the committee.

Ms. Tebbutt responded to questions.

James Farmer, High Plains Community Health Center, testified in support of the bill.

Diane Robinson, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Roberts, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Todd Lessley, Salud Family Health Centers, testified in support of the bill.

Jessalyn Hampton, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, testified in support of the bill.

Vincent Atchity, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

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

Haven Robert, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Ginal made closing comments.

Senator Fields laid Senate Bill 20-107 over to February 12 for action only.