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EFCE890ABFB9AE3C872583E80012A3F9 Hearing Summary




PUBLIC
BILL SUMMARY For SB19-217

HOUSE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY
Date Apr 25, 2019      
Location HCR 0112



SB19-217 - Amended, referred to the Committee of the Whole

09:23:39 PM  

Representative Snyder, prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-217, concerning healthcare provider liens related to charges for medical care provided to a person injured as a result of the negligence or wrongful acts of another person. Representative Snyder explained the effect of the bill and discussed its need. Discussion ensued regarding certain information that is undiscoverable under the bill, and the history of the medical lien industry. Discussion followed regarding transparency in medical billing.

09:51:33 PM  

The following persons testified regarding SB 19-217:

Ms. Natalie Brown, Coloradans for Healthcare Access, testified in support of the bill. She discussed the population that cannot afford insurance who need healthcare, and the role of medical liens. Ms. Brown discussed certain language introduced to the bill at the behest of the Attorney General. Ms. Brown discussed the thoughts of Mr. Geoff Blue on the bill. Ms. Brown responded to questions.

10:15:13 PM  

Mr. Patrick Boyle, representing the American Property and Casualty Insurance Association, testified in opposition to the bill.

Mr. Jeff Ruebel, representing the Colorado Civil Justice League and the Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, testified in opposition to the bill. Discussion ensued regarding the role of medical lien companies, and limitations on discovery of certain information in court by the bill. Mr. Boyle responded to questions regarding the marketplace for those who do not have the immediate resources to pay for medical treatment, and certain language in the bill concerning fee recovery. Discussion followed regarding the stakeholder process on the bill. Discussion returned to the marketplace for those without immediate means who need medical care.

10:40:09 PM  

Mr. Rich Sokol, representing Personicare Healthcare Network, testified in support of SB 19-217. Mr. Sokol discussed the role of medical lien companies, and addressed issues raised during earlier discussion.

Mr. Royal Washington, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Washington discussed his use of the services of a medical lien company.

Mr. Matt Holycross, representing Injury Finance, testified in support of the bill. He explained how the bill protects consumers and reduces the impacts of litigation. Discussion ensued regarding the history of the practice of offering medical liens, and the reasoning behind shielding juries from certain information. Mr. Holycross responded to questions regarding legal opinions on medical liens.

11:03:59 PM  

The committee considered amendments L.048 (Attachment J) and L.049 (Attachment K).



11:04:17 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.048
Moved Herod
Seconded Galindo
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Galindo
Gonzales-Gutierrez
McKean
Roberts
Soper
Tipper
Herod
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


11:05:15 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.049
Moved Herod
Seconded Galindo
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Galindo
Gonzales-Gutierrez
McKean
Roberts
Soper
Tipper
Herod
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
11:07:08 PM  

The committee discussed amendment L.050 (Attachment L).



11:16:43 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.050
Moved Herod
Seconded Galindo
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Galindo
Gonzales-Gutierrez
McKean
Roberts
Soper
Tipper
Herod
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
11:17:30 PM  

The committee considered amendment L.051 (Attachment M).



11:17:32 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.051
Moved Herod
Seconded Galindo
Benavidez
Bockenfeld
Carver
Galindo
Gonzales-Gutierrez
McKean
Roberts
Soper
Tipper
Herod
Weissman
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
11:17:49 PM  

The committee considered amendment L.054 (Attachment N).



11:27:13 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.054
Moved Tipper
Seconded Benavidez
Benavidez Yes
Bockenfeld No
Carver Yes
Galindo No
Gonzales-Gutierrez No
McKean Yes
Roberts No
Soper Yes
Tipper Yes
Herod Yes
Weissman No
YES: 6   NO: 5   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS
11:27:36 PM  

The committee considered amendment L.055 (Attachment O).

11:33:56 PM  

The committee recessed.

11:38:19 PM  
The committee returned to order.
11:47:32 PM  

The committee continued to discuss the merits of amendment L.055, along with a Representative McKean conceptual amendment to that amendment.



11:53:16 PM
Motion Amend amendment L.055, page 1, line 2, after "exceed", insert "one hundred twenty percent".
Moved
Seconded Benavidez
Benavidez Yes
Bockenfeld No
Carver No
Galindo No
Gonzales-Gutierrez No
McKean No
Roberts No
Soper No
Tipper No
Herod No
Weissman No
YES: 1   NO: 10   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  


11:54:17 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.055
Moved Benavidez
Seconded Herod
Benavidez Yes
Bockenfeld No
Carver No
Galindo No
Gonzales-Gutierrez No
McKean No
Roberts No
Soper No
Tipper No
Herod No
Weissman No
YES: 1   NO: 10   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  FAIL
11:54:18 PM  

Representative Snyder provided closing remarks in support of SB 19-217. The committee discussed the merits of the bill.



11:58:16 PM
Motion Refer Senate Bill 19-217, as amended, to the Committee of the Whole.
Moved Galindo
Seconded Bockenfeld
Benavidez No
Bockenfeld Yes
Carver No
Galindo Yes
Gonzales-Gutierrez Yes
McKean No
Roberts Yes
Soper Yes
Tipper Yes
Herod Yes
Weissman Yes
Final YES: 8   NO: 3   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS






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