8C5806D9A188BEDA8725851300829A54 Hearing Summary

Representative Kennedy and Representative Herod, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 20-1065 to the committee.  The bill requires health insurers to reimburse hospitals for prescribing opiate antagonists to covered individuals; creates immunity for individuals who administer an expired antagonist; allows pharmacists to sell non-prescribed clean syringes or needles to individuals without a prescription; allows local public health agencies to operate clean syringe programs without county approval and allows hospitals to operate a clean syringe program; and increases appropriations to the Harm Reduction Grant Program Cash Fund.



A handout was distributed (Attachment O).  Amendments L.001 and L.002 were distributed to the committee (Attachments P and Q).

The bill sponsors responded to committee questions.

Representative Caraveo proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Dr. Joyce Gamewell, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment R).  Longinos Gonzalez, El Paso County Commissioner, testified in opposition to the bill.  Helen Collins, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.  The witness panel responded to committee questions.

Dr. Rob Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.  Jessica Kobylinski, Colorado Health Network, testified in support of the bill.  Lisa Raville, Harm Reduction Action Center, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Judy Solano, Southern Colorado Harm Reduction, testified in support of the bill.

The previous panel of witnesses responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Chris Stock, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.  Tracey Ritter, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Sarah Rowan, Denver Public Health, testified in support of the bill.  Jackie Zheleznyak, Denver Health, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment S).  The witness panel responded to committee questions.

Paul Glasheen, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.  David Wasserman, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

The bill sponsors discussed amendments to the bill.

The bill sponsors gave closing remarks on the bill. Committee members commented on the bill.