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S_HHS_2019A 03/13/2019 11:06:32 AM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICES
Date 03/13/2019
Attendance
Crowder X
Donovan X
Smallwood X
Pettersen X
Fields X
X = Present, E = Excused, A = Absent, * = Present after roll call
Time 11:06:32 AM to 12:36:22 PM
Place SCR 354
This Meeting was called to order by Senator Fields
This Report was prepared by Elizabeth Haskell
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB19-1038 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB19-1150 Referred to Senate Appropriations
HB19-1069 Referred to Senate Appropriations
SB19-004 Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
HB19-1004 Referred to Senate Appropriations

HB19-1038 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
11:06:42 AM  

Senators Ginal and Story, bill sponsors, presented House Bill 19-1038. The bill expands dental services provided under the Children's Health Plan Plus to pregnant women starting on October 1, 2019.
11:10:37 AM  

Duane Mata, Denver Health and Colorado Community Health Network, testified in support of the bill.
11:15:08 AM  

Dr. Karen Foster, Colorado Dental Association, testified in support of the bill.
11:17:24 AM  

Bill Heller, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), testified in support of the bill.
11:19:31 AM  

Erin Miller, Colorado Children's Campaign, testified in support of the bill.
11:22:37 AM  

Mr. Heller responded to questions.
11:28:17 AM  

Committee discussion followed.
11:28:57 AM  

Senator Ginal made closing comments. Committee discussion followed.
11:31:39 AM  

Senator Fields recessed the meeting.
11:32:47 AM  

Senator Fields reconvened the meeting.
11:32:54 AM  

Senator Smallwood commented on the bill.


11:34:07 AM
 Motion Refer House Bill 19-1038 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Crowder
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Donovan Yes
Smallwood Yes
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB19-1150 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
11:35:06 AM  

Senator Danielson, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1150. The bill recreates the Consumer Insurance Council as an advisory body to the Commissioner of Insurance in the Department of Regulatory Agencies.
11:38:23 AM  
Committee questions followed.
11:44:41 AM  
Adela Flores-Brennan, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative,
testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.
11:49:38 AM  

Commissioner Michael Conway, Colorado Division of Insurance (DOI), testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.
11:53:30 AM  
Senator Danielson made closing comments.


11:54:13 AM
 Motion Refer House Bill 19-1150 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Crowder
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Donovan Yes
Smallwood Yes
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB19-1069 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
11:55:20 AM  

Senator Danielson, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1069.  The bill allows the Colorado Commission of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and Deaf-Blind to approve certifications for sign language interpreters and adds additional titles that cannot be used without a certification.
11:59:08 AM  

Edie Busam, Independence Center, testified in support of the bill and read a letter of support from the Colorado Association of the Deaf.


12:03:18 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 19-1069 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Pettersen
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Donovan Yes
Smallwood Yes
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 5   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



SB19-004 - Amended, referred to Senate Appropriations
12:05:01 PM  

Senator Danielson, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-004.  This bill requires the Department of Personnel and Administration (DPA) to explore and, if feasible, develop and implement a one-year pilot program in Eagle and Garfield counties to provide access to 100 individuals to participate in group medical benefit plans (not including dental or vision coverage) offered to state employees for the 2019-20 plan year.

To be eligible for the pilot program, an individual must reside in the portions of Eagle or Garfield counties within the service area of the group medical benefit plans offered through the pilot program and have a household income between 400 and 500 percent of the federal poverty line (FPL).

The bill also modernizes laws authorizing health care cooperatives in the state to incorporate consumer protections and collective rate negotiations.
12:06:38 PM  

Commissioner Michael Conway, DOI, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.
12:10:30 PM  
Commission Richard Cimino, Grand County Board of County
Commmissioners, testified in support of the bill.
12:10:31 PM  

Senator Donovan distributed and discussed amendment L.003 (Attachment A).


12:21:39 PM
 Motion Adopt amendment L.003 (Attachment A).
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Crowder
Donovan
Smallwood
Pettersen
Fields
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection


12:22:02 PM
 Motion Refer Senate Bill 19-004, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Crowder Yes
Donovan Yes
Smallwood No
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 4   NO: 1   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS



HB19-1004 - Referred to Senate Appropriations
12:23:47 PM  
Senator Donovan, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 19-1004. The bill requires the HCPF and DOI to develop and submit a proposal for a state option for health care coverage that leverages existing state health care infrastructure. The proposal must consider affordability to consumers at different income levels, the administrative and financial burden to the state, and any statutory or rule changes necessary to implement the proposed state option. The proposal must be submitted to the General Assembly by November 15, 2019.

Among other things, in developing the proposal, HCPF and DOI must:

  • conduct actuarial research to identify potential costs to participants;
  • evaluate the impact on consumers eligible for financial assistance for plans purchased on the exchange;
  • evaluate provider rates;
  • evaluate eligibility criteria for individuals and small businesses;
  • determine the impact on the state budget;
  • determine the impact on the stability of health care markets;
  • engage in a stakeholder process; and
  • review information from a pilot program to expand access to state employee group health insurance that may be initiated through Senate Bill 19-004.  

After the proposal has been created and presented to the General Assembly, CPF and DOI must submit any federal waivers or state plan amendments necessary to fund and implement the state option described in the proposal. The waivers and plan amendments may be delayed by legislative action that alters the federal authorization needed.

 
12:23:59 PM  
Adela Flores-Brennan, Colorado Consumer Initiative, testified
in support of the bill.
12:27:00 PM  

Debra Brown, Good Business Colorado, testified in support of the bill.
12:29:45 PM  
Commissioner Michael Conway, DOI, testified in support
of the bill.
12:30:59 PM  

David DeNovellis, HCPF, testified in support of the bill.
12:32:05 PM  

Senator Donovan made closing comment and distributed a handout (Attachment B).


12:33:56 PM
 Motion Refer House Bill 19-1004 to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Donovan
Seconded
Crowder No
Donovan Yes
Smallwood No
Pettersen Yes
Fields Yes
Final YES: 3   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


12:36:22 PM   The committee adjourned.






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