S_HHS_2018A 04/12/2018 01:32:32 PM Committee Summary

Chris Sykes, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, presented the Medical Services Board appointees.

Dr. Simon Hambidge, appointee, told the committee about his background and why he wants to serve on the Medical Services Board.

Dr. Martha Cecile Fraley, appointee, told the committee about her background and why she wants to serve on the Medical Services Board.

Jessica Kuhns, appointee, told the committee about her background and why she wants to serve on the Medical Services Board

Bregitta Hughes, appointee, told the committee about her background and why she wants to serve on the Medical Services Board.

Dr. Hambidge, Dr. Fraley, Ms. Kuhns, and Ms. Hughes responded to questions.

 

The Governor's appointment letter for Dr. Hambidge, Dr. Fraley, Ms. Kuhns, and Ms. Hughes is attached  [Attachment A].  Their resumes and applications may be found at State Archives.

 

 

Allen Staver, UCHealth General Counsel, provided a brief presentation on the organizational structure of UCHealth/University of Colorado Hospital Authority and provided a handout [Attachment B].  

Mr. Staver responded to questions from the committee.

Philip Lane, appointee, told the committee about his background and why he wants to serve on the Colorado Hospital Authority Board of Directors.

 

The University of Colorado Board of Regent's appointment letter for Mr. Lane is attached [Attachment C].

 

Senators Cooke and Marble, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1300.  The bill allows Aims Community College (Aims) to offer a bachelor of science degree in nursing as a completion degree for students who have or are pursuing an associate degree in nursing.  The college's board of trustees must determine if the degree program serves the needs of the communities within the college's service area.  Under current law, Aims only has authority to offer bachelor of applied science degrees.

 

A handout was distributed to the committee [Attachment D].

Trish Rand, Aims Community College, testified in support of the bill.

Committee questions followed.

Senator Marble made closing comments.

Senator Crowder, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1265.  The bill continues the Stroke Advisory Board in the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment indefinitely.

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

Francesca Maes, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion and questions followed.

Senator Smallwood, bill sponsor, requested that Senate Bill 18-224 be postponed indefinitely.

Senators Kefalas and Martinez Humenik, co-prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1284.  This bill prohibits a health insurance carrier or pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) from:

• requiring that a pharmacist charge a covered person a copayment that exceeds the amount billed to the health plan by the pharmacist; or
• prohibiting or penalizing a pharmacist from informing a covered person about cost sharing amounts for a prescription drug or the clinical efficacy of a more affordable alternative drug.

If the Commissioner of Insurance determines that a carrier or PBM violates these provisions, the commissioner must institute a corrective action plan for the carrier and may use other existing enforcement mechanisms to ensure compliance.

Jo Hubchik, Colorado Chronic Care Collaborative, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Tim Hutton, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP), testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Sally Berger, CAFP, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Kefalas responded to questions.

Jennifer Jones, Colorado Bio Science Association, testified in support of the bill.

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

Senator Smallwood recessed the meeting.

Senator Smallwood reconvened the meeting.

Emily Zadvorny, Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the bill.

Alyson Williams, Health District of Northern Larimer County, testified in support of the bill.

Committee discussion and questions followed.

Jo Hubchik returned to the table and responded to questions.

Senators Kefalas and Martinez Humenik made closing comments.

Public Testimony for House Bill 18-1155 was heard on March 29, 2018, in Senate Committee Room 357. The bill was scheduled today for action only.

Kristin Forrestal, Office of Legislative Legal Services, responded to questions about the amendments