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

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.

Committee questions and discussion followed.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.