666F0BD509BEF721872586E0006E955A Hearing Summary

Representative Tipper, bill sponsor, introduced and spoke on SB21-025. The bill directs the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), which administers the state’s Medicaid program, to seek federal approval to expand family planning services to individuals earning up to the state’s current limit for the Children’s Basic Health Plan, which is 260 percent of the federal poverty level (FPL). The department must submit the request to the federal government by January 31, 2022. The expanded program must not impose age, sex, or gender identity limitations on eligibility, and must include a presumptive eligibility process. The family planning and family planning-related services that must be covered include the following:

• medically necessary evaluations or preventive services, such as tobacco utilization screening, counseling, testing, and cessation services;
• contraception, including a one-year supply unless requested otherwise;
• health care or counseling services focused on preventing, delaying, or planning for a pregnancy;
• sterilization services;
• cervical cancer screening and prevention;
• basic fertility services; and
• sexually transmitted infection (STI) diagnosis and treatment.

The department must promulgate rules needed to implement the bill, including rules specifying covered services. In addition, the department must collaborate with the state insurance marketplace and interested stakeholders to encourage enrollment in all health insurance options for eligible individuals.

Representative Will, bill sponsor, gave opening comments on the bill.

Bill sponsors responded to questions from committee members.

Representative Tipper and Representative Will gave final comments on the bill.

Committee members made final comments.