H_PHC_2018A 04/17/2018 01:32:17 PM Committee Summary

Representative Benavidez and Representative Michaelson Jenet, prime sponsors, presented House Joint Resolution 18-1012 to the committee.  The resolution concerns Medicaid benefits for inmates that have not been convicted of a crime.  A handout was distributed to the committee [Attachment A].

Representatives Benavidez and Michaelson Jenet responded to committee questions.

Alli Daley, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the resolution.

Todd Spanier, Colorado Counties, Inc., testified in support of the resolution and distributed a handout [Attachment B].

Ms. Daley responded to committee questions.

A handout was distributed to the committee [Attachment C].

Representatives Michaelson Jenet and Benavidez gave concluding remarks on the resolution.

Represenative Pabon, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1376 to the committee.  The bill requires the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, in conjunction with the Division of Housing in the Department of Local Affairs, to implement a system of oversight for individual residential services and supports providers and residences.  A handout was distributed to the committee [Attachment D].

Representative Pabon distributed and explained amendments L.001, L.002, L.003, L.004, and L.005 [Attachments E, F, G, H, and I].

Representative Pabon responded to committee questions.

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Lloyd Lewis, Arc Thrift Stores, testified in support of the bill.

Colin Laughlin, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Susan Diner, Department of Local Affairs, testified in a neutral position on the bill.

Mr. Laughlin and Ms. Diner responded to committee questions.

Jerry Stricker, Golden Fire Department and the Firefighter Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Kevin Ferry, Arvada Fire Department and the Fire Marshals Association of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Mr. Stricker responded to committee questions.

Emma Hudson, Alliance, testified in a neutral capacity regarding the bill.

Ms. Hudson and Mr. Sosa responded to committee questions.

Julie Reiskin, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill.

Representative Pabon gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Committee members commented on the bill.

Representatives Michaelson Jenet and Representative Landgraf, prime sponsors, presented House Bill 18-1364 to the committee.  The bill concerns the scheduled repeal of the Colorado Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities.    

Represenative Michaelson Jenet distributed and explained amendment L.001 and L.005 [Attachments J and K].

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Chris Hinds, representing himself, testified regarding the bill.

Kathy Ciano-McGee, representing herself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Joe Triplett, representing himself, testified in opposition to the bill.

Julia Beems, Colorado Advisory Council for Persons with Disabilities, testified in opposition to the bill.

Christina Johnson, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified regarding the bill.

Heidi Haines, The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Bill Zepernick, Legislative Council Staff, came to the table to respond to committee questions regarding the bill.

Representatives Michaelson Jenet and Landgraf gave concluding remarks on the bill.

Representative Michaelson Jenet, bill sponsor, presented House Bill 18-1357 to the committee.  This bill creates the Office of the Ombudsperson for Behavioral Health Access to Care and requires that health insurance carriers report specific information to the Commissioner of Insurance on mental health parity requirements.  Representative Michaelson Jenet distributed amendments L.001 and L.002 to the committee [Attachments L and M].

Representative Singer proceeded with witness testimony on the bill.

Rebecca Swanson, Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Bev Marquez, Rocky Mountain Crisis Partners, testified in support of the bill.

Ms. Petre Hill responded to committee questions.

Christina Johnson, Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Aubrey Boggs. Colorado Mental Wellness Network, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment N).    

Molly Gilpin, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Margaret Elmer, National Alliance on Mental Illness - Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Joshua Ewing, Colorado Hospital Association, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Sheryl Stefaniak, Colorado Psychiatric Society, testified in support of the bill.

Kathryn Dieck, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Stefaniak responded to committee questions.

Sara Orrange, America's Health Insurance Plans, testified in a neutral position on the bill.  Ms. Orrange responded to committee questions.

A packet of witness testimony was distributed to the committee (Attachment O).

Representative Michaelson Jenet gave concluding remarks on the bill.