S_HHS_2019A 04/18/2019 03:51:03 PM Committee Summary

This is the second committee summary for the April 18, 2019, Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting.  The first summary contains the committee action on the following:

Confirmation hearing for Colorado Traumatic Brain Injury Trust Fund Board;

Confirmation hearing for Board Of Directors University Of Colorado Hospital Authority;

Confirmation hearing for Colorado Children's Trust Fund Board;

Confirmation hearing for Colorado Healthcare Affordability And Sustainability Enterprise;

Confirmation hearing for Chief  Medical Officer of Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment;

HB19-1267 Penalties For Failure To Pay Wages;

SB19-245 Time Requirements For Food Stamp Appeals; and

SB 19-242 Emergency Medical Service Providers Licensing (public testimony only).

Senator Fields reconvened the meeting.

Senator Danielson, bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 19-238 and distributed amendment L.020 (Attachment A).   Senator Danielson discussed the changes that amendment L.020 make to the introduced bill.  The introduced bill makes changes to reimbursement rates and sets various requirements for home care service agencies and employees.

David Bolin, Colorado Long-Term Assistance Providers and Americans for Attendant Policies Today (ADAPT), testified in support of the bill and discussed amendment L.020 (Attachment A).

Vanessa Torti, Colorado Care Workers Unite (CCWU), testified in support of the bill.

Stephanie Felix, CCWU, testified in support of the bill and amendment L.020 (Attachment A).

The witness panel responded to questions.

Senator Moreno, bill sponsor, responded to questions.

Gloria Stroh, CCWU, testified in support of the bill.

Shannon Colwell, CCWU, read the testimony of Sandra Sherwood in support of the bill.  Ms. Colwell testified in support of the bill.

Paul Delay, CCWU, testified in support of the bill.

Elliot Goldbaum, Colorado Fiscal Institute, testified in support of the bill.

Caitlin Connolly, National Employment Law Project, testified in support of the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Don Knox, Home Care Association of Colorado (HCAC), testified against the bill.

Dr. Diane Reams, HCAC, testified against the bill.

Lorin Chevalier, HCAC, testified against the bill and provided a handout (Attachment B).

Senator Danielson responded to questions.

Kyle Martinez, HCAC, testified against the bill.

Alik Kessner, HCAC, testified against the bill.

Kevin Furman, PeopleCare Health Services (PCHS), testified against the bill.

Tracy Martinez, HCAC, testified against the bill.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Loree Lattik, CCWU, testified in support of the bill.

Marilyn Sorensen, CCWU, testified in support of the bill.

Brenda Lozada, CCWU, testified in support of the bill and responded to questions.

Christiano Sosa, The Arc of Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

Sarah Engles, PCHS, testified against the bill.

Cheri Scheffel, representing herself, testified against the bill.

Kristi St. Clair, PCHS, testified against the bill.

Nancy Lederhos, The Skills Den, testified against the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment C).

Marcus McCoy, PCHS, testified against the bill.

Ivalou Baily, HCAC, testified against the bill.

Melinda Yeary, Homewatch CareGivers, testified against the bill.

Greg Kelley, Phoenix Home Care and Hospice, testified against the bill.  The witness panel responded to questions.

Francesca Maes, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified in a neutral position.

Josh Winkler, Colorado Cross-Disability Coalition, testified in support of the bill as amended.

The witness panel responded to questions.

Andrea Reitzel, All for Kids Home Health, testified against the bill.

Andrea Bertelsen, Homewatch CareGivers, testified against the bill.

John Dickerson read the testimony of Maria Anaya, against the bill.

Leo Becker, representing himself, testifed against the bill.

Kevin Jones, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Gary Gambino, ACARIA in Home Health Care, testified against the bill.

Jeanette Hensley, Colorado Senior Lobby, testified against the bill.

David DeNovellis, Colorado Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF), responded to questions.

Colin Laughlin, HCPF, responded to questions.

Lee Bagby, representing himself, testified against the bill.

Rodi Liv, Best Way Home Services, testified against the bill and distributed a handout (Attachment D).

 

Some members of the public who were present at the meeting chose to submit written testimony rather than be called to the witness table.  These written testimonies may be found in Attachment E.

Senator Moreno made closing remarks.

Senator Danielson discussed amendment L.020 (Attachment A).

Senator Danielson made closing remarks.

Public testimony on Senate Bill 19-242 was taken earlier in the meeting.  To review public testimony please refer to the committee summary prepared for the first portion of the April 18, 2019, Senate Health and Human Services Committee meeting which convened at 1:30 in Legislative Services Building, Room B (LSB-B).