S_HHS_2019A 03/06/2019 10:03:51 AM Committee Summary

Senator Pettersen, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-146.  The bill continues the regulation of home care agencies and home care placement agencies in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE), from September 1, 2019, until September 1, 2028, and implements recommendations of the Department of Regulatory Agencies sunset review. The recommendations include:

• repealing the $10,000 limit on the amount of civil fines that may be assessed against a home care agency or home care placement agency in a calendar year;
• requiring that civil fines be credited to the General Fund rather than the Home Care Agency Fund; and
• requiring that the Home Care Advisory Committee include representatives of placement agencies.

Don Knox, Home Care Association of Colorado, testified in support.

Senator Crowder, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-164. The bill extends the repeal date for the In-Home Support Services (IHSS) program administered by the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) and funded through the federal Medicaid benefit. The Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) certifies IHSS providers. The bill also modifies the definition of "eligible persons" and removes an obsolete reporting requirement, as recommended in the Department of Regulatory Agencies' (DORA) sunset review.

Kevin Smith, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Ryan Zeiger, Personal Assistance Service Provider of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

David Bolin, representing himself, testified in support of the bill. He read the testimony of Heidi Leffler.

Rhyann Lebitz, HCPF, testified in support of the bill.

Senators Todd and Coram made closing comments and discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment A).

Mr. Zeiger returned to the table to respond to questions about amendment L.001.

Senator Fields recessed the meeting.

Senator Fields reconvened the meeting.

Senator Todd, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-145. The bill continues the regulation of dialysis treatment clinics and hemodialysis technicians in the Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) from September 1, 2019, to September 1, 2026, and deletes obsolete language.

Chris Schwab, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Deborah Hayes, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Megan Wagner, Fresenius and DaVita, testified in support of the bill.