AF271E3C4CD8A3B7872588100064651D Hearing Summary

Representative Gonzales-Guiterrez and Representative McCluskie, co-prime bill sponsors, presented House Bill 22-1289, concerning improving access to health benefits for economically insecure Colorado families by enhancing public health programs. The bill expands Medicaid coverage to low-income pregnant people and children, regardless of immigration status.  The bill requires the Commissioner of Insurance to improve the quality of health insurance coverage through the Health Insurance Affordability Enterprise, and it extends a survey of birthing parents indefinitely, among other requirements. Representative Gonzales-Guiterrez provided a handout to the committee (Attachment E).

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

Giovani Juarez Granados, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Lilia Cervantes, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Jocelyn Vega, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Ian Vy Pram read a statement on behalf of Dr. An Nguyen, representing self, in support of the bill.

Dr. Brianna Morgan, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Brenda Figueroa, representing self, testified in support of the bill.

Jose Torres-Vega, representing the Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

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

The panelists responded to questions from the committee.

Talaya Banks, representing Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill.

Peggy Leech, representing the League of Women Voters of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Nick Torres, representing the American Lung Association, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Tracy Johnson, representing the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, responded to committee questions.

Written testimony was provided to the committee (Attachment F).

Representative McCluskie explained amendment L.001 (Attachment G).

Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez explained amendment L.002 (Attachment H).

Representative McCluskie and Representative Gonzales-Gutierrez made concluding remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.