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H_HI_2021A 04/28/2021 01:42:39 PM Committee Summary

PUBLIC
STAFF SUMMARY OF MEETING
HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTH & INSURANCE
Date 04/28/2021
Attendance
Baisley X
Williams D. X
Hanks X
Jackson X
Kennedy X
McCormick X
Mullica X
Ortiz X
Soper X
Titone X
Will X
Lontine X
Caraveo X
Time 01:42:39 PM to 03:09:30 PM
Place HCR 0112
This Meeting was called to order by Lontine
This Report was prepared by Julia Group
Hearing Items Action Taken
HB21-1275 Amended, referred to House Appropriations

HB21-1275 - Amended, referred to House Appropriations


01:42:56 PM  
Representative Will, co-sponsor,
introduced HB21-1275.  The bill modifies the state’s Medicaid program
to include payment to pharmacists for all services within their scope of
practice.  Pharmacists must be paid equivalent to physicians or advanced
practice nurses when providing the same services, including services delivered
through telemedicine.  In addition, the bill authorizes Medicaid payments
to authorized pharmacists to administer extended-release injectable medications
for treatment of mental health or substance use disorders, which can be
paid either as a pharmacy or medical benefit.




The Department of Health Care Policy and Financing is directed to seek
federal authorization and financial participation to implement these changes.
01:45:09 PM  
Representative Lontine, co-sponsor, continued with opening remarks on the bill. She continued with remarks on the fiscal note.
01:52:59 PM  
The sponsors continued presenting the bill. They responded to questions from the committee.
01:54:12 PM  
Moe Keller, Mental
Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.  She distributed
a handout to the committee (Attachment A).
01:58:34 PM  
Dr. Emily Zadvorny, Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Jim Leonard, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified to amend the bill. The previous witnesses responded to questions from the committee.
02:06:30 PM  
Dr. Tisha Smith, Denver Health, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Lisa Winkler, Clinica Family Health, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Floyd Stephens, Associates in Family Medicine, testified in support of the bill.
02:19:07 PM  
Dr. Amy Stump, Associates in Family Medicine, testified in support of the bill.
02:22:37 PM  
Alice Steiner, Colorado Community Health Network, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Diana Kessel, Salud Family Health Center, testified in support of the bill. Vicki Einhellig, Good Day Pharmacy, testified in support of the bill. Mr. Lucas Smith, RxPlus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill.
02:36:29 PM  
Dr. Emily Kosirog,
Salud Family Health, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Karen
Rice, Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.  Mr.
Jonathan Culwell, National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado, testified
in support of the bill.
02:48:58 PM  
Ms. Tara Kane, representing
herself, testified in support of the bill. Dr. Bonita Bowman, representing
herself, testified in support of the bill.

 

Submitted written public testimony can be found in Attachment B.
02:48:59 PM  
Representative Lontine introduced and explained amendment L.001 (Attachment C).


02:58:56 PM
Motion Adopt amendment L.001 (Attachment C).
Moved Lontine
Seconded Ortiz
Baisley
Williams D.
Hanks
Jackson
Kennedy
McCormick
Mullica
Ortiz
Soper
Titone
Will
Lontine
Caraveo
YES: 0   NO: 0   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  Pass Without Objection
02:59:09 PM  
The bill sponsors provided closing comments on the bill.
03:05:17 PM  
Committee members
provided closing comments on the bill.


03:09:22 PM
Motion Refer House Bill 21-1275, as amended, to the Committee on Appropriations.
Moved Lontine
Seconded Will
Baisley Yes
Williams D. No
Hanks Yes
Jackson Yes
Kennedy Yes
McCormick Yes
Mullica Yes
Ortiz Yes
Soper No
Titone Yes
Will Yes
Lontine Yes
Caraveo Yes
Final YES: 11   NO: 2   EXC: 0   ABS:  0   FINAL ACTION:  PASS


03:09:30 PM   The committee adjourned.