039FFE29F704700F8725850D00750AF9 Hearing Summary

Senator Ginal, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 20-119.  This bill authorizes the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to expand the Canadian Drug Importation Program to allow drug importation from a nation other than Canada, conditional upon the enactment of federal legislation permitting states to do so.  Senator Ginal distributed a handout (Attachment F).

Senator Ginal responded to questions.

Kim Bimestefer, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Kelly Swartzendruber, HCPF,  responded to questions.

Committee questions and discussion continued.

Jennifer Roberts, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Erin Hackett read the testimony of Ali Schoer, representing herself, against the bill (Attachment G).

Emily Roberts, Colorado Bio Science Association, testified against the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment H).

The witnesses responded to questions.

Scott Pocsik, Jefferson County Sheriff's Office, testified against the bill and responded to questions.

Leigh Seeger, Jefferson County Business Resource Center, testified against the bill. Ms. Seeger responded to questions.

Milton Tyrrell, Partnership for Safe Medicines, testified against the bill.

Shabbir Safdar, Partnership for Safe Medicines, testified in against the bill. The witness panel responded to questions.

Leah Lindahl, Healthcare Distribution Alliance, testified against the bill.

Lauren Masias, Colorado Competitive Council, testified against the bill.

Katelin Lucariello, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, testified against the bill.

Dr. Shirley Leow, AARP Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment I).

Virginia Gebhart, Colorado Foundation for Universal Health Care, testified in support of the bill.

Diane Robinson, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Jeanette Hensley, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill. The witnesses responded to questions.

Senator Fields recessed the committee.

Senator Fields reconvened the meeting.

Senator Smallwood discussed amendment L.001 (Attachment J).  Committee discussion followed.

Ms. Lucariello came to the table and responded to questions.

Committee discussion followed.