S_HHS_2023A 04/20/2023 01:39:36 PM Committee Summary

Senator Moreno, prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1243 concerning establishing corrective action procedures for hospitals that fail to meet the minimum community investment threshold. The bill also restricts out-of-state spending and transactions for covered hospitals, with the amount spent out of state not to exceed the total margins earned in Colorado.

Finally, the bill places reporting requirements on hospitals that participate in the Hospital Community Benefit Program and requires HCPF to review the reports and conduct a stakeholder meeting. As part of these requirements, the bill requires the Office of the State Auditor to calculate the federal, state, and local tax exemption received by each hospital. HCPF can enforce compliance with the bill through fines and additional reporting requirements.

Committee members asked the bill sponsor questions.

Executive Director
Kim Bimestefer, representing the Colorado Department of Health Care Policy
and Financing, testified in support of the bill.



Special Financing
Division Director Nancy Dolson, representing the Colorado Department of
Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill.



Vincent Atchity,
representing Mental Health Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Daniel Darting,
representing the Colorado Providers Association, testified in support of
the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Mrs. Kyra deGruy
Kennedy, representing Young Invincibles, testified in support of the bill.



Katherine Wallat,
representing the Colorado Center on Law and Policy, testified in support
of the bill.



Ms. Isabel Cruz,
representing the Colorado Consumer Health Initiative, testified in support
of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Josh Ewing, representing
the Colorado Hospital Association, testified in a neutral position on the
bill.



Mr. Rich Mauro,
representing the Denver Regional Council of Governments, testified in support
of the bill.

Katie Tiernan, representing
Intermountain Health, testified in support of the bill.



Mr. Kenneth Maestas,
representing The Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in support
of the bill.



Additional written
testimony may be found in Attachment D.

The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.

Senator Zenzinger, co-prime bill sponsor, presented Senate Bill 23-289 concerning requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to seek federal authorization through an amendment to the state medical assistance plan to implement the community first choice option.

Director - Office
of Community Living Bonnie Silva, representing the Colorado Department
of Health Care Policy and Financing, testified in support of the bill.



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



The committee
asked the panel questions.

David Bolin, representing
Colorado Long-Term Assistance Service Providers, testified in support of
the bill.



Ms. Megan Bowser,
representing Family Voices Colorado, testified in support of the bill.

The committe resumed.

Senator Danielson, prime bill sponsor, presented House Bill 23-1197, concerning requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing (HCPF) to engage in a stakeholder process to address concerns and identify viable solutions for individuals who receive long-term services and supports from host home providers. The bill specifies the topics that the stakeholder process must address. By January 2025, HCPF must report on their findings from the stakeholder process as part of their SMART Act hearing presentation.

Ms. Carrie Gagnon,
representingthe  Colorado Cross Disability Coalition, testified in
support of the bill.



Ms. Janet Foos,
representing ArcvThrift, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
provided remarks to the panel.

Jonathan Singer,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



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

Hanni Raley, representing
The Arc of Aurora, testified in support of the bill.



Additional written
testimony may be found in Attachment E.

Senator Danielson provided closing remarks.

Dr. Emily Zadvorny, representing Colorado Pharmacists Society, testified in support of the bill.

Dr. Ky Davis, representing RxPlus Pharmacies, testified in support of the bill.

The committee resumed.

Senator Fields and Senator Buckner, co-prime bill sponsors, presented Senate Bill 23-288 concerning requiring the Department of Health Care Policy and Financing to initiate a stakeholder process to promote the expansion and utilization of doula services for pregnant and postpartum Medicaid recipients.

The bill sponsor responded to questions from committee members.

Lauren Smith, representing
Soul 2 Soul Sisters, testified in support of the bill.



Ms. Sarah Lopez,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Kayla Frawley,
representing ProgressNow Colorado, testified in support of the bill.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

Ms. Whitney Buckendorf,
representing themself, testified in support of the bill.



Mrs. Pia Long,
representing Elephant Circle, testified in support of the bill.



Child and Family
Health Division Director  Susanna Snyder, representing the Colorado
Department of Health Care Policy and Financing, was available to answer
committee questions.



Committee members
asked the panel questions.

The committee recessed.

The committee resumed.

The committee asked the bill sponsor questions.

Senator Buckner provided closing remarks.

Committee members provided closing remarks.

The committee recessed.

The committee moved to SCR 352.