S_HHS_2019A 04/04/2019 01:32:18 PM Committee Summary

Connie Rule, appointee, told the committee
about her professional background and why she would like to continue to
serve as amember of the board.

The Governor's executive order and appointment
letter may be found in Attachment A.  Ms. Rule's application and resume
may be found at the State Archives.

Commissioner Thomas Davidson, appointee,
told the committee about his professional background and why he wants to
continue to serve as a member of the board.

The Governor's executive order and appointment
letter may be found in Attachment A.  Commissioner Davidson's application
and resume may be found at the State Archives.

Commissioner John Kefalas, appointee, told the committee about his professional background and why he would like to serve as a member of the board.

 

The Governor's executive order and appointment letter may be found in Attachment A.  Commissioner Kefalas' application and resume may be found at the State Archives.

 

Nancy Dolson, Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, discussed the charge and responsibilities of the Colorado Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise (CHASE).

Adela Flores-Brennan, Connect for Health Colorado Board of Directors, discussed the 2019 open enrollment period.  She told the committee that two of the four board members who are appointed by legislative leadership are term limited at the end of June 2019.  She suggested that legislative leadership consider the appointment of two new members to the board in accordance with Section 10-22-105, Colorado Revised Statutes.

Mr. Patterson responded to questions.

Senator Tate, bill sponsor presented Senate Bill 19-134 and distributed amendment L.002 (Attachment D).  The bill establishes disclosure requirements and payment schedules for out-of-network health care services, and creates an arbitration process for insurance carriers and health care providers to settle billing disputes.

Bethany Pray, Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified against the bill.

Jessica Morgan, Colorado Association of Health Plans, testified against the bill.

Adela Flores-Brennan, Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified against the bill.

The witness panel responded to committee questions.

Nick Colglazier, Colorado Competitive Council, testified against the bill.

Virginia Morrison Love, American's Health Insurance Plans, testified against the bill.

Dr. Nathaniel Hibbs, Emergency Physicians of Colorado, testified in support of the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment E).

Dr. David Friedenson, Colorado Chapter of American College of Emergency Physicians, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Dr. Steve Quach, Care Point Health, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Don Stader, Emergency Medicine Physicians, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Gary Ghiselli, Colorado Orthopedic Society, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Dr. Scott Bentz, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Jeanette Hensley, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in support of the bill.

Mark Kozlowski, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

John Conklin, Colorado Medical Society, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Friedenson returned to the table to respond to questions.

Paul Webster, Assure Holdings, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Senator Tate made closing comments.

Committee members commented on the bill and witness testimony.

Senator Fields laid the bill over for action only.

Senator Tate and Senator Foote, bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 19-217.  This bill creates a healthcare provider lien.  A healthcare provider lien is a lien created by a healthcare provider for charges for medical care provided to a person injured by the negligence or wrongful act of another person.  Before or at the time of the creation of a healthcare provider lien, a healthcare provider must advise the injured person of all available methods for payment of the healthcare providers charges for treating them and billing options.  All future care may be billed to an insurance provider if the injured party or his or her lawyer notifies the healthcare provider that they have obtained health insurance.  A healthcare lien cannot exceed the cost of the health services provided and may not include any surcharges, finance charges, or interest.  A healthcare provider lien may be assigned to another person or entity and such assignment is not discoverable or admissible as evidence in any third-party civil claim.

Caleb Meyer, Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.

Jeff Ruebel, Colorado Civil Justice League, testified against the bill.

Christopher Reeves, Colorado Defense Lawyers Association, testified against the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment F).

The witness panel responded to questions.

Krista Meardon, Injury Finance, testified in support of the bill.

Royal Washington, representing himself, testified in support of the bill.

Rich Sokol, Personicare, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Perry Rickel, Marrick Medical, testified in support of the bill.

Lori Jacobs, representing herself, testified in support of her bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Dr. Pamela Knight, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Natalie Brown, representing herself, testified in support of the bill.

Geoff Blue, Colorado Association for Health Care Access, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Senator Foote made closing comments.  Committee discussion followed.

Senator Fields laid the bill over for action only.

Senator Pettersen, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-219 and distributed amendments L.001 and L.002 (Attachments G and H).  Under current law, the Colorado Licensing of Controlled Substances Act in the Department of Human Services (DHS) is scheduled to repeal on September 1, 2019.  This bill extends the repeal date to September 1, 2026, and implements several recommendations from the sunset report. These changes include:

• requiring the DHS to develop and implement an information technology system by July 1, 2020, to track complaints made against a licensee and any disciplinary actions taken;
• requiring the DHS to develop or procure a secure online central registry by July 1, 2020 to register patients treated in a substance use disorder treatment program; and
• repealing references to research as a regulated activity under the act.

Cristen Bates, Department of Human Services, testified in support of the bill.