S_HHS_2018A 02/08/2018 01:35:10 PM Committee Summary

The bill also requires the Department
of Public Health and Environment to report its findings to the General
Assembly from studies conducted on PDMP integration methods and health
care provider report cards.  The department is also required to provide
the findings to the Center for Research Into Substance Use Disorder Prevention,
Treatment, and Recovery Support Strategies at the University of Colorado
Health Sciences Center.  The center is required to use the information
to provide voluntary training for health care providers in targeted areas.
 



Amendment L.005 was distributed to the committee (Attachment A).

Dr. Robert Valuck, Colorado Consortium for Prescription Drug Abuse Prevention, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Valuck responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. J. Scott Bainbridge, Colorado Pain Society, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Bainbridge responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Stephanie Gold, Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, testified in support of the bill.  Dr. Gold responded to questions from the committee.

Dr. Don Stader, Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill and  responded to questions from the committee.  Committee discussion followed.

Kelly Tobin, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition (CCDC), testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Remington, CCDC, testified in support of the bill.  Senator Aguilar commented on issues brought up during previous testimony.

Committee questions and comments followed.

Committee discussion continued.

Edie Sonn, Pinnacol Assurance, testified in support of the bill.

Jackie Zheleznyak, Denver Health, testified in support of the bill.

Jennifer Goodrum, Colorado Dental Association (CDA), testified in a neutral position on the bill and discussed CDA's concerns about amendment L.005 (Attachment A).  Ms. Goodrum responded to questions from the committee.  Committee comments followed.

Committee discussion ensued.

Lindsey Myers, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, testified in support of the bill.

Senator Tate made closing comments.

• changes the definition of "dependent"
  to reflect that coverage can continue under an employee's policy until
  a child is age 26 and removes the requirement that a dependent child over
  age 19 be unmarried and enrolled as a full-time student to maintain coverage;
  
• removes domestic partner from the definition
  of "dependent" to reflect the repeal of rules allowing domestic
  partners as dependents;
• removes provisions referencing maximum
  lifetime benefits, which are prohibited under federal law;
  
• removes a public hearing requirement
  that conflicted with the state procurement code; and
  
• removes various obsolete provisions.

Senators Martinez Humenik and Moreno, co-prime sponsors, presented Senate Bill 18-148.  The bill requires a state agency to continue paying medical and dental benefits to the dependents of an employee who dies in a work-related death for 12 months from the end of the month in which the work-related death occurs.

Rick Tompkins, Colorado Department of Corrections, testified in support of the bill.

Velma Donahue, respresenting herself, testified in support of the bill.

Chief Matt Packard, Colorado State Patrol, testified in support of the bill.  Committee members commented on the bill.

Jack Wylie, Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Martinez Humenik made closing comments.  Committee discussion followed.

Senator Moreno commented on the bill.

Senator Martinez Humenik, co-prime sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-163.  The bill extends the repeal date of the Early Childhood and School Readiness Legislative Commission to July 1, 2023.  As a result, this bill increases state expenditures through FY 2022-23.

Ryan Long, Legislative Council Staff, responded to questions from the committee about the bill's fiscal note.

Committee discussion followed.

Senator Smallwood laid the bill over until Wednesday, February 14.

Senator Martinez Humenik, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 18-162.  The bill creates a license within the Department of Human Services for a substitute placement agency that places or that facilitates or arranges placement of substitute child care providers in licensed child care facilities providing less than 24-hour care.

Erin Mewhinney, Colorado Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.

Nicole Riehl, Denver Early Childhood Council, testified in support of the bill.  Ms. Riehl responded to questions from the committee.

Senator Martinez Humenik made closing comments.